5th April Harrods
Priscilla Presley Launches a New Range of Bedlinen

Priscilla Presley is a true renaissance lady. The original Rock Chic, Actress, Writer and now designer of a range of exquisite homewares. On 5th April, Harrods is delighted to welcome her to the store to personally launch her new bedlinens.

We are very excited about your new range of homewares. How did you get involved in this area?
Since I was young, I have appreciated the beauty and softness of fine fabrics. I feel quality bedding makes a difference in your quality of sleep. So it has always been a dream to one day develop and design my own line. This dream became a realisation when I was introduced to Bruno Schiavi and we started creating. I’m happy to say the line is now a reality.

How do you develop ideas?
Everywhere I look I see designs – in iconic objects, antique fabrics… It can be anything from the simplistic to something completely creative and new. Mixtures of texture and colours, and this is where Bruno comes in. We both developed and created the line together and we have found that our appreciation and tastes are very similar.

Have you always had a flair for furnishings?
Absolutely. I had the opportunity to go into many homes during my married years when I was very young, and would ask myself what worked – and what didn’t! I started collecting fabrics and objets d’art very early, always keeping in mind that one day, I would like to develop a line of my own.

Three fragrances, jewellery, producer, model, actress, writer, designer... what next?
Right now, I am enjoying creating and developing this line, and am having a lot of fun with Bruno. It seems to satisfy my passion and thirst for entrepreneurial adventure. And I feel that we have a wonderful product to offer in terms of luxury and affordability. Hopefully, your customers will enjoy using my bedlinens as much as we are enjoying creating it.

You are especially remembered for Dallas in the 1980s. Did you know how huge it was going to be?
Never! I walked in very blindly. All I could think the first week was, “How am I going to get through all this dialogue?” as there were no rehearsals. It was one walk-through and you were on! It was a great experience and I made lifelong friends.

How do you balance a career and family?
I know what my priorities are: my family comes first. It’s a constant effort to maintain a balance, but I try to make sure that when I’m traveling, I’m not away too long. I put in quality time and I am home more often than not. It’s about being constantly aware.

How do you deal with the huge pressures of life in the public eye?
It’s an ongoing thing, but you never get used to it. You know you have to be in the public eye, but it’s always liberating to covet the private moments away from the limelight. I think rumours are the most difficult to deal with. I stay away from the tabloids and sensational magazines, and find that what you don’t know can’t hurt you.

As founder of Elvis Presley Enterprises, how important is it to keep the King’s memory alive?
Obviously, it is very important to me. I had a very special relationship with Elvis – and he gave so much to his fans and rock ’n’ roll that his memory deserves to live on. He was a true inspiration for many. It’s the least I can do.

Is it important to tell your side of the story after so many Elvis biographies written by outsiders?
I don’t have a lot of respect for biographers. I’ve read many books about Elvis by people with other agendas and I find that there are so many discrepancies. I feel after my first book that I have more that I could share with the public and am definitely thinking about writing my memoirs.

What is your overall philosophy in life?
Be a leader, take charge of your life, realise your dreams and don’t listen to anything that will kill your passion.