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Blooming marvellous - Lynne Franks at HABB
Date Added: 2010-04-30
Hellen Ward had us all on the edge of our seats as she interviewed PR icon, Lynne Franks earlier this week for the latest HABB networking breakfast held at Wella's studio in Mortimer Street.
Lynne has been credited with developing modern PR as we know it. In the 1980s, she ran a hugely successful public relations company, whose clients included Jean Paul Gaultier, Katharine Hamnett, and even the Labour party.
"You have to have intuition and be tuned in to what's coming next." Lynne said as she described not only her business, but also her love of herbal teas and macrobiotic food (long before it became fashionable.)
Lynne left school at 16 to work as a secretary. "I wanted to be a journalist", she said, but then found her niche when she went to work for Petticoat Magazine alongside people like Janet Street-Porter.
"I started to meet lots of fashion designers and was heavily immersed in that world, eventually people asked me to do their PR."
Lynne is often described as being the inspiration behind TV show, Absolutely Fabulous, a fact she neither admitted nor denied.
As a huge Ab Fab fan I can't help but be intrigued. Lynne shared with us funny stories about how she is often quoted, not by what she actually said, but by what the character Edina said in the television show.
She is clearly spiritual, and promoted her idea of inner and outer-wellbeing.
"I am a feminist." She proudly announced as she spoke about how, as women, our overly critical nature can often hold us back.
"We do it almost as soon as we get up in the morning."
With a room packed full of hair and beauty PR's, hairdressers and journalists, the morning was both inspiring and informative.
Lynne talked about her books - all of which are aimed at developing female entrepreneurs, including The Seed Handbook (which has evolved into an accredited learning programme backed by the Department for Trade and Industry) and Grow - The Modern Women's Handbook.
Lynne also now runs Bloom, a leadership retreat held over 7 days at Lynne's home in Mallorca. Lynne's experience, knowledge and spirituality is definitely ultra inspiring and, spending a week with her at her beautiful Spanish home sounds like a great opportunity. We are truly inspired!
