OW Spotlight Claudia Lambeth
ApsleyCEO & Designer Luna Mae
WHAT WOULD YOU SAY TO YOUR 18-YEAR OLD SELF LEAVING WELLINGTON?
Don’t ever be discouraged by people telling you that you’re too young to achieve your dreams. Channel this energy into proving them wrong and you’ll go much further. Be someone who sees and doesn’t just look. Notice every tiny detail – every mannerism of a client, every little fold of satin silk underneath delicate stitching, every crease in the wrapping of tissue paper. Only then can you step back and look at the bigger picture.
INSIGHTFUL READ
Founded in 2012, Luna Mae London empowers women by offering exquisite British lingerie and loungewear collections which are accompanied by an impeccable service, creating an unforgettable lingerie experience. After developing exceptionally high standards of quality and working with dedicated seamstresses in England, Luna Mae London was launched by appointment-only.
Since its launch, the brand has been offering exclusive lingerie and loungewear to clients across the globe by private appointment, establishing a very strong reputation for superior attention to detail and true luxury. Fully bespoke fittings are conducted either in a client’s private home, or in a luxury hotel suite of their choice, with an emphasis on expert construction and fit.
With over 40,000 followers across social media, the brand has sustained press in publications such as Vogue, W, ELLE, Playboy, GQ, and has recently been featured on a TV episode of CNBC’s “Secret Lives of the Super Rich”.
Luna Mae London is now expanding to launch a new and exciting Prêt-à-Porter collection for Autumn/Winter 2016 to be sold online and in a curated selection of exclusive stores.
Claudia Lambeth discovered that the ability to transform a woman’s confidence by wearing a beautiful set of lingerie beneath her clothes is an incredibly precious and powerful notion. Upon learning that she ranged in five different bra sizes across different brands herself and, having grown dissatisfied with the quality of lingerie on offer, Claudia found a gap in the market for true luxury lingerie which was paired with an exceptional service.
Claudia decided to create a dedicated fitting environment where each woman who experienced Luna Mae London would walk away in complete confidence – confidence in the correct bra size, and confidence that the lingerie makes her feel as beautiful as she deserves.
Whilst studying for a Law degree at King’s College London, Claudia undertook design courses at the London College of Fashion and Parsons in New York City and trained as a professional bra fitter. She also began working for a number of different luxury brands and gained experience in fashion PR and fashion publishing.
At the age of just twenty-two, Claudia set about on her quest to push the boundaries of luxury and worked with highly skilled British seamstresses who began developing her vision. After spending nearly two years honing very high standards of quality and sourcing the world’s most prestigious fabrics, Luna Mae London was born.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?
Someone once told me that in order to stand out in a competitive market, you have to become an expert in your field. Find your niche and own it. Another hugely important piece of advice is to never underestimate the power of networking. You never know who you might meet and where that might lead you. Be gracious, be kind, and ask as many questions as possible. The Old Wellingtonian Network has been immensely supportive and helpful for my business – I’ve been fortunate enough to find mentors, employees and investors, and I could not be more grateful.
What is it about the lingerie business that most interests you?
I’ve always been fascinated by female empowerment. Every woman who has ever chosen to treat herself with exquisite lingerie will understand how it has shaped her mood and made her feel fantastic. Celebrating what’s underneath is so important – if she feels great from within, she will exude confidence and grace. I felt that too often lingerie looked lovely on the outside but very little attention was paid to the inside of the garment. After all, that is the part which is closest to your skin. It is my passion and drive to make a woman feel celebrated, special and unique. I really care so much about the potential that Luna Mae London has to alter the way a woman feels about herself. There is a responsibility which I take upon my shoulders to create an unforgettable experience where afterwards the client can remember how she felt when she first tried on that bra, or how she was made to feel comfortable and looked after by her fitting specialists. I once had a client who told me that following her bespoke fitting, she walked away feeling “cocooned in silk” and that feeling stayed with her all day. Without realising it, a test has been established within Luna Mae London’s company culture to replicate that experience in everything we do.