She’s styled the homes of everyone from David Beckham to Gwyneth Paltrow, and now Kelly Hoppen MBE is giving her A-list clients a run for their money when it comes to healthy living.
The 58-year-old, who was awarded the Order of the British Empire in 2009 for services to Interior Design, is an avid supporter of the body positive moment and says she trains every day to help her stay in shape.
To maintain her enviable six-pack the busy interior designer likes to follow an alkaline diet that she balances with a variety of daily workouts – even when she’s on holiday.
Speaking exclusively to FEMAIL the design guru said: ‘I love food and would never deny myself anything, but it’s important to me that I give my body good, nutritious food. I also make a conscious effort to limit my alcohol intake, and to ensure I get enough sleep.’
Kelly Hoppen MBE maintains her enviable figure through a healthy diet and strict workout regime, she tells MailOnline FEMAIL (pictured here flaunting her enviable physique)
The interior designer says she always makes time to train, something which she has done since she was 16 as it helps her to de-stress
She added: ‘Actually, when I am on holiday is when I most love to train as I have the time. I can take as long as I [like] and not feel the pressure of working against the clock.
‘When I’m away, I’ll run for 5km, then do weights, Pilates, and loads of stretching. Whereas in London, I have getting showered, dressed, and eating breakfast down to 25 minutes if necessary – but nothing stops me training.’
Kelly, whose daughter is Natasha Corrett, the founder of Honestly Healthy, says the 35-year-old has ‘opened her eyes’ to the benefits of healthy eating and its overall impact on her wellbeing.
Although the design guru doesn’t follow a vegan diet, she does follow her daughter’s alkaline programme – which recommends a mix of 80 per cent alkaline foods and 20 per cent acidic foods – and she avoids gluten, dairy, and white or refined sugars.
For the former Dragon’s Den star, training has been an important part of her life since she was 16: ‘It’s how I perform best, setting me up for the day. It’s what de-stresses me and is part of my routine,’ she explained.
‘But if I’m unwell or I don’t feel like working out – for example after partying the night before – then I won’t force myself.’
The former Dragon’s Den star has worked with some major A-listers and says she has learned different things from them over the years
The busy entrepreneur says it’s important to listen to your own body and do what feels right – even if that means indulging in the occasional treat.
‘I have days when I want to eat chocolate and I don’t deprive myself,’ she admitted. ‘What’s most important is to be positive in mind and body regardless of your age and whether you work out everyday or not.’
And while she has a black book bursting with celebrity clients, Kelly refuses to reveal what she’s learned from them.
‘What people forget is that celebrities and non-celebrities are all the same – we all have the same insecurities and goals,’ she said. ‘Plus I could not give away those kind of secrets now could I?’
Kelly works with two personal trainers as well as avoiding gluten and dairy, but says she allows herself whatever she wants when she feels it (pictured here at a 2016 film premiere)
Kelly says she’s learned a lot from her daughter Natasha Corrett, who is the founder of the Honestly Healthy Company
The businesswoman, instantly recognisable thanks to her mane of red curls, also follows a plan devised by her personal trainer Efua Baker, to make sure she is eating enough food to fuel her for her frequent workouts.
Mondays are devoted to Pilates, on Tuesday and Thursday it’s an hour and half with Efua doing weights and body sculpting, and on Wednesday and Friday Kelly works with Joslyn Thompson, who has been helping her to train correctly after a severe back injury. At the weekends she laces up her trainers and goes for a run.
Approaching 60 doesn’t worry Kelly, who believes a woman’s age is of no relevance, so long as ‘you feel confident in your own skin’.
‘We’re not defined by our age, but rather who we are, and what goals we set for ourselves,’ she said.
‘Age has never been something I’ve been conscious of, except in my teens of course, so I would encourage women of all ages to hatch whatever plan works for them – all shapes and sizes look good if – and only if – you feel confident in your own skin.
‘It is not about size, it’s about what fits for you. I know if I don’t exercise I don’t feel good, and I work hard for it but I simply love exercise and getting results.’
Despite relishing her jam-packed schedule – and the results of her efforts in the gym – Kelly is looking forward to a little more down-time.
‘This year I have promised myself that I will take more time off.’