Dear Luella,
This isn't the first time I've written to you. I put pen to paper when I was 14 and obsessing over that graffiti collection you did where Kate Moss wore a pillowcase dress and orange socks. From my teeny home counties all-girls school, that collection just seemed so exciting and glamorous but also kind of the simplest thing - how hard could it be to recreate myself?
I shocked my textiles teacher when I told her my project was going to be an attempt at recreating that dress, rather than making a nice cushion for my Grandma. That was why I wrote to you, because I wanted to find out how you did all those multicoloured swooshes. In the end, I got an A* for what ended up being a swirling skirt with fabric painted graffiti proudface.
Now I'm writing again because today you're back with your first collection in five years since you wrapped up your own label. I can't wait to see what you do at Marc by Marc Jacobs (or whatever you're going to be calling it) with your mate Katie Hillier. It was a genius move for Marc Jacobs to get you two on board to revive the brand with your own unique sense of fun and femininity. Will you call all your shows things like 'Marc, I want an iPad' in the way your own label collections had names like 'Daddy I want a pony'?
I remember poring over a feature you did in Vogue about your LFW show. When you're a dreaming teenager imagining how you'll one day escape to some bigger and more wonderful world, it looked like a pretty fabulous one to run off to. With your messy hair, rainbow colours, smiley models and rock and roll references. You made being a kooky English girl cool long before Alexa came along.
Few people know that you're also partly responsible for that whole It bag thing. Your Gisele bag for Mulberry with all its buckles and strap was the thing every girl (whether they were 13 or 30) really wanted. Can you and Katie make a new Marc by Marc bag we want just as much, please?
[ASSETHERE=image]
Am I sounding fan girl enough right now? I'll stop soon. Oh, but I also still vividly remember the day I heard you'd opened a shop. Obviously I went at the first chance I got and couldn't afford a thing but had such a great time looking at all those bright, beautiful clothes and feeling like just being there was like being part of a fun Luella world.
Luella, you were the girl my teenage-self wanted to be. The cool, fun, colourful and really English up-for-a-laugh big sister me and countless others always wanted.
Yes, we've had your book (the brilliant Luella's Guide to English Style) and seen all your dreamy Instagram posts of your incredible art and idyllic country life. Now I can't wait for you to make fashion fun again.
Love,
Bethan x
Follow Bethan on Twitter @fashedatlarge
Pictures: The Times UK, Rex
This article originally appeared on The Debrief.