Kelly Hoppen facts for kids

Kelly Hoppen (born July 28, 1959) is a famous British interior designer. She was born in South Africa. Kelly is also an author and owns her own company, Kelly Hoppen Interiors.

From 2013 to 2015, she was one of the "Dragons" on the TV show Dragons' Den on BBC Two.

Kelly Hoppen's Early Life

Kelly Hoppen was born in Cape Town, South Africa, on July 28, 1959. Her family moved to London when she was two years old.

When Kelly was younger, she briefly went back to South Africa. While there, she played in a rock band. She faced challenges because she mixed with black musicians, which was against the unfair apartheid laws at the time.

Kelly Hoppen's Design Career

Kelly Hoppen started her design career very young, at just 16 years old. She left school and took on her first project: designing a kitchen for a family friend. Her next big job was designing a house for racing driver Damien Hunt. This led her to work with other race drivers and actors.

She has designed for many famous people, including David and Victoria Beckham. Kelly has created beautiful spaces in homes, yachts, and even private jets. She also designs for hotels, restaurants, and offices in many countries.

Exciting Design Projects

Some of Kelly's recent projects include working with Disney. She helped celebrate Mickey Mouse's 90th birthday! She also designed parts of the Celebrity Edge cruise ship. Other projects include a luxury apartment building in Taiwan called One Park Taipei. She also designed the LUX* Grand Gaube hotel in Mauritius.

In 2021, it was announced that Kelly would design the first 10 homes on a unique superyacht called Njord. This huge ship will have many individual homes for people to live in.

Kelly Hoppen's Books and Style

Kelly Hoppen has written thirteen design books. Her first book, East Meets West, was published in 1997 and was very popular. In 2013, she published Kelly Hoppen Design Masterclass.

She is known for her special style, which uses calm, neutral colors. People often call her the 'Queen of Taupe'. Kelly believes that a space should not only look good but also make people feel good. She aims to create peaceful and balanced environments.

In 2014, Kelly launched her own online store. There, she sells home accessories that she designed herself. She has been named one of the most influential female interior designers in Britain. Vogue magazine and the Evening Standard have also listed her among inspirational and influential people. Kelly also appears on QVC UK, where she shares her own line of jewelry and home items.

Kelly Hoppen on Television

Kelly Hoppen has been on several TV shows. In 2011, she hosted her own show on Channel 5 called Superior Interiors with Kelly Hoppen.

From 2013 to 2015, she was an investor on the popular show Dragons' Den on BBC Two. She also had a small role in the movie Absolutely Fabulous: The Movie in 2016. Kelly has also been a guest judge on The Great Interior Design Challenge on BBC Two.

Awards and Recognition

Kelly Hoppen has received many awards for her work. In 1996, she won the Andrew Martin Interior Design Award. She also won the European Woman Of Achievement award in 2007, and the ELLE Decoration Award.

In 2009, Kelly was made a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE). This is a special honor given by the British Queen for her services to interior design. In 2020, she was given an even higher honor, becoming a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE).

Kelly is also an Ambassador for several important causes. She supports the Prince's Trust, which helps young people. She also works with the government's GREAT campaign and advises small businesses. Kelly is an Ambassador for Cool Earth, a charity that protects rainforests, and Future Dreams, a breast cancer charity. She has also worked with Made by Dyslexia and The Diana Award.

Kelly Hoppen's Personal Life

Kelly Hoppen has dyslexia, which means she learns and processes information differently.

She has been married twice. Her first marriage was to Graham Corrett, and they have a daughter named Natasha Corrett, who is a food writer. Her second marriage was to Edwin Miller. During this marriage, she was a stepmother to actress Sienna Miller.