WHILE many actresses dabble in fashion design with the odd collaborative collection here or there, Kate Hudson has become a fully-fledged fitnesswear mogul with her hugely successful Fabletics brand – which later this year celebrates five years in business, and has just opened its first UK retail space (see wearepopfit.com).
Fabletics now has 1.2 million members – who have signed up to get monthly deliveries of workout gear – and 24 stores in America, in addition to the London opening.
We asked mum-of-two Hudson (38) to talk fashion and fitness...
You're often described as 'actress-turned-entrepreneur' – is the business your primary passion now, or are you still on the look out for great movie roles?
"No, because I see it all as an extension of itself. One thing, though, that this has afforded me the ability to do is only work on the things creatively that I want to work on. So I don't feel forced to have to make a living through acting and do things I don't necessarily want to do. So that's a really nice feeling as a creative person. All the things I'm developing and doing are things I just love. But [acting] is my first and foremost – I mean, I'm a performer, that just never goes away."
What is the one item of clothing you wear the most?
"I really try to wear all my clothes – I make a conscious effort to not wear the same thing – but, jumpsuits! There's a couple of jumpsuits that when I'm in a hurry, I'll just put on. Actually, funny enough, I'm wearing Stella McCartney today, and she's my friend and everyone knows that at this point, but I love her jumpsuits. I think she makes really comfortable jumpsuits that are flattering. They aren't form-fitting but they are flattering. I have a Saint Laurent jumpsuit that I love and another one by Ulla Johnson; it's a velvet, very girly jumpsuit – when I have to go out somewhere that's a little bit fancier, it's my go-to."
:: River Island Petite Black Floral Spot Frill Jumpsuit, £60
Who has most influenced your personal style?
"I really appreciate people's fashion but I don't know if they influence mine. I think it's eras that make more sense in terms of what influences me. I definitely lean more towards the 70s in terms of comfort. I'll always love a flared jean, I just like the way they make your legs look. I think they make your legs look nice and long, and I love a flowy dress, I love a disco dress – anything from the Seventies."
:: Topshop Moto Indigo Flared Jamie Jeans, £40
:: Miss Selfridge Red Polka Dot Maxi Dress, £32
Do you have a favourite designer for red carpet events?
"Honestly, it just depends. Lately, I've been wearing a lot of Valentino. I'm just loving the gowns that come in from Valentino. But you know, the reality is that everybody does such beautiful work, and there's some people that do work that I wish I could fit into their samples! It's like, you see a dress and they come in and you're like, 'Oh I'd give anything to [wear this]', and then you put it on and you can't close it! I do love working with Versace Atelier, because for a red carpet, there's something about the way they design their dresses and the way my body is formed. I always feel so good in a Versace dress."
