Lily Allen: From Riches to Rags

15 March 2011

Episode 2

The second programme sees the girls hunt for their perfect shop location; pitch for a bank loan; and start marketing Lucy in Disguise. And Lily's personal life takes two huge steps forward as she moves house and announces to the world that she's expecting a baby.

It's now May and the girls are due to open their shop in September. They're still without premises for their shop and Lily has already invested a substantial amount of her own money into the business.

Whilst Lily stepped away from her showbiz life two months ago, she is pulled back into the limelight for the Ivor Novello song writing awards at the Grosvenor Hotel where she is nominated for three awards.  Despite her reservations about going, Lily is overcome with emotion as she wins all three awards, including two for her single "The Fear". In a tearful acceptance speech, Lily says she finally feels accepted by her peers.

Meanwhile Sarah and Jess start the hunt for shop premises. With an annual budget of £40,000 to cover rent they trawl the streets of London to find the perfect location for their vintage store. 

But the shop isn't Lily's only priority. A large part of her exit plan from touring is to set up a home for her and partner Sam. They have bought their first home together which she is busy renovating. Whilst giving a tour of the work in progress Lily talks about their future plans together and how she believes that caring for a family is her ultimate vocation.

Back at the office Sarah is working flat out establishing the business, sleeping in the office and crunching numbers non-stop. She has been working on a business plan to secure a bank loan as Lily's initial investment is running out. Going through their start up costs is a huge eye opener to the realities of setting up a profitable retail outfit. 

The girls call on Mary Portas again to help them find a location for their shop. Lily has a romanticised idea of being behind the till in a shop that's a ‘destination retail' store but Mary believes that isn't a viable commercial option.

With important decisions still to be made, Lily is absent from the office to move house, leaving Sarah and Jess to plough on with the business. The sisters went into the business together but , during this period, Sarah is often left to do the bulk of the work, and Lily is impressed with how well she has taken on the finances on her own.

The day of reckoning arrives as they head to the bank to ask for a six figure sum to invest into their business, or else Lucy in Disguise won't become a reality.

Meanwhile, Jess is busy planning the press and marketing to launch the store, with a huge fashion shoot and press event with Lily and Sarah.

And it soon becomes apparent why Lily has been so removed from the business and keeping a low profile, as she confirms  that she is expecting a baby and has suffered from terrible morning sickness.

But with only six weeks to go until Sarah and Lily are due to open the store, they are still without premises for the business. Can Sarah and Jess persuade Lily that a store in Covent Garden is their perfect fit?

Episode 3

In the final programme Lily and Sarah face the final hurdles of getting the shop open and host a glittering launch night for the shop, but the year ends in devastation for Lily.

It's August and Lily and Sarah have found the premises for Lucy in Disguise, but with just five weeks until opening they are yet to move it and set up shop. With the layout and design to complete, a launch party to arrange and stock to move, it's all hands on deck.

In the countdown to opening they consult Mary Portas again about the layout of the shop and they hit stumbling block when the sisters disagree over having a blow dry bar they'd planned for extra revenue - just three weeks before opening.

The sisters send out 600 invites for their launch party, and the worlds press are eagerly waiting the unveiling of the shop. It's an emotional moment for Sarah when she sees the finished shop for the first time.

Their star-studded launch night arrives and the girls get a rapturous reception from friends, family and the press. Finally Lucy in Disguise is open. As the cocktails flow, the girls Mum Alison, and Lily's dad Keith, join them to celebrate what they have accomplished. But nothing could prepare Lily and her family for what came next.

She returns to work in January and reflects on the tumultuous year; a year which she now says has fundamentally changed her as a person.

Episode 1

The opening programme joins Lily backstage at The O2 Arena on the final night of her tour. Tired of life on the road she has announced she is quitting touring in favor of a quieter life, and wants to realize another dream - opening a vintage shop.

Along with her half sister Sarah, a total business novice, Lily plans on making couture and vintage pieces available to those who may not be able to afford such luxury items in an innovative clothes store where customers can hire or buy one off designer garments.

They set out transforming Lily's office into the set up base for their business. But all they have is the name - Lucy in Disguise - and an idea.

To make up for their lack of experience and transform their dream for the shop into a viable business Sarah and Lily hire Jess Morris as their brand director. With 15 years in the fashion industry under her belt Jess has worked for the likes of Agent Provocateur and Vivienne Westwood, and it's her job to help them find the right shop in the right place with the right stock. 

Whilst Lily is easily carried away spending her hard earned money on amazing one off items, Sarah is tasked with sorting out the company finances as she undergoes a crash course in business management to try and devise a budget for the project.

They start splashing the cash on couture fashion for stock but receive some home truths about their shop idea from retail guru Mary Portas after a focus group is unsure about the shop's concept and prices.

Tensions between the sisters are running high as Sarah tries to take financial control of the business and Lily talks openly about the rift in their relationship when they were younger.

Away from the office Lily welcomes cameras into the home she shares with Sam to discuss why she wants to opt out of fame, and reveals how her slim figure the press raved about in 2009 was the result of an unhealthy relationship with food.

Lily Allen: From Riches to Rags. Tue 15 Mar, 10pm, Channel 4

Last September Lily Allen and her sister Sarah Owen launched their vintage clothing store Lucy in Disguise. After months of planning, hard graft and learning how to run a business, all whilst Lily moved house and fell pregnant, their vision finally became a reality as the store opened to a rapturous reception from the fashion world. 

Channel 4 cameras followed the sisters every step of the way. Lily Allen: From Riches to Rags charts the metamorphosis of Lily Allen the pop star to Lily Allen the fashion retailer.  Lily gives up the security of hugely successful music career to move into the precarious world of running a small business - completely uncharted territory as neither herself nor Sarah have any previous retail experience. 

But that's not the only change in Lily's life. Keen to make up for years on the road Lily announced a break from touring and recording in March 2010 so she could settle down into a ‘normal' life with partner Sam. Barely had the paint dried on the walls of their new abode when along came the very welcome news that Lily is pregnant.

The series charts a tumultuous year in Lily's life - a year which she now says has fundamentally changed her as a person and which she talks about candidly.

Episode 2

The second programme sees the girls hunt for their perfect shop location; pitch for a bank loan; and start marketing Lucy in Disguise. And Lily's personal life takes two huge steps forward as she moves house and announces to the world that she's expecting a baby.

It's now May and the girls are due to open their shop in September. They're still without premises for their shop and Lily has already invested a substantial amount of her own money into the business.

Whilst Lily stepped away from her showbiz life two months ago, she is pulled back into the limelight for the Ivor Novello song writing awards at the Grosvenor Hotel where she is nominated for three awards.  Despite her reservations about going, Lily is overcome with emotion as she wins all three awards, including two for her single "The Fear". In a tearful acceptance speech, Lily says she finally feels accepted by her peers.

Meanwhile Sarah and Jess start the hunt for shop premises. With an annual budget of £40,000 to cover rent they trawl the streets of London to find the perfect location for their vintage store. 

But the shop isn't Lily's only priority. A large part of her exit plan from touring is to set up a home for her and partner Sam. They have bought their first home together which she is busy renovating. Whilst giving a tour of the work in progress Lily talks about their future plans together and how she believes that caring for a family is her ultimate vocation.

Back at the office Sarah is working flat out establishing the business, sleeping in the office and crunching numbers non-stop. She has been working on a business plan to secure a bank loan as Lily's initial investment is running out. Going through their start up costs is a huge eye opener to the realities of setting up a profitable retail outfit. 

The girls call on Mary Portas again to help them find a location for their shop. Lily has a romanticised idea of being behind the till in a shop that's a ‘destination retail' store but Mary believes that isn't a viable commercial option.

With important decisions still to be made, Lily is absent from the office to move house, leaving Sarah and Jess to plough on with the business. The sisters went into the business together but , during this period, Sarah is often left to do the bulk of the work, and Lily is impressed with how well she has taken on the finances on her own.

The day of reckoning arrives as they head to the bank to ask for a six figure sum to invest into their business, or else Lucy in Disguise won't become a reality.

Meanwhile, Jess is busy planning the press and marketing to launch the store, with a huge fashion shoot and press event with Lily and Sarah.

And it soon becomes apparent why Lily has been so removed from the business and keeping a low profile, as she confirms  that she is expecting a baby and has suffered from terrible morning sickness.

But with only six weeks to go until Sarah and Lily are due to open the store, they are still without premises for the business. Can Sarah and Jess persuade Lily that a store in Covent Garden is their perfect fit?

Episode 3

In the final programme Lily and Sarah face the final hurdles of getting the shop open and host a glittering launch night for the shop, but the year ends in devastation for Lily.

It's August and Lily and Sarah have found the premises for Lucy in Disguise, but with just five weeks until opening they are yet to move it and set up shop. With the layout and design to complete, a launch party to arrange and stock to move, it's all hands on deck.

In the countdown to opening they consult Mary Portas again about the layout of the shop and they hit stumbling block when the sisters disagree over having a blow dry bar they'd planned for extra revenue - just three weeks before opening.

The sisters send out 600 invites for their launch party, and the worlds press are eagerly waiting the unveiling of the shop. It's an emotional moment for Sarah when she sees the finished shop for the first time.

Their star-studded launch night arrives and the girls get a rapturous reception from friends, family and the press. Finally Lucy in Disguise is open. As the cocktails flow, the girls Mum Alison, and Lily's dad Keith, join them to celebrate what they have accomplished. But nothing could prepare Lily and her family for what came next.

She returns to work in January and reflects on the tumultuous year; a year which she now says has fundamentally changed her as a person.

Episode 1

The opening programme joins Lily backstage at The O2 Arena on the final night of her tour. Tired of life on the road she has announced she is quitting touring in favor of a quieter life, and wants to realize another dream - opening a vintage shop.

Along with her half sister Sarah, a total business novice, Lily plans on making couture and vintage pieces available to those who may not be able to afford such luxury items in an innovative clothes store where customers can hire or buy one off designer garments.

They set out transforming Lily's office into the set up base for their business. But all they have is the name - Lucy in Disguise - and an idea.

To make up for their lack of experience and transform their dream for the shop into a viable business Sarah and Lily hire Jess Morris as their brand director. With 15 years in the fashion industry under her belt Jess has worked for the likes of Agent Provocateur and Vivienne Westwood, and it's her job to help them find the right shop in the right place with the right stock. 

Whilst Lily is easily carried away spending her hard earned money on amazing one off items, Sarah is tasked with sorting out the company finances as she undergoes a crash course in business management to try and devise a budget for the project.

They start splashing the cash on couture fashion for stock but receive some home truths about their shop idea from retail guru Mary Portas after a focus group is unsure about the shop's concept and prices.

Tensions between the sisters are running high as Sarah tries to take financial control of the business and Lily talks openly about the rift in their relationship when they were younger.

Away from the office Lily welcomes cameras into the home she shares with Sam to discuss why she wants to opt out of fame, and reveals how her slim figure the press raved about in 2009 was the result of an unhealthy relationship with food.

Lily Allen: From Riches to Rags. Tue 15 Mar, 10pm, Channel 4

Last September Lily Allen and her sister Sarah Owen launched their vintage clothing store Lucy in Disguise. After months of planning, hard graft and learning how to run a business, all whilst Lily moved house and fell pregnant, their vision finally became a reality as the store opened to a rapturous reception from the fashion world. 

Channel 4 cameras followed the sisters every step of the way. Lily Allen: From Riches to Rags charts the metamorphosis of Lily Allen the pop star to Lily Allen the fashion retailer.  Lily gives up the security of hugely successful music career to move into the precarious world of running a small business - completely uncharted territory as neither herself nor Sarah have any previous retail experience. 

But that's not the only change in Lily's life. Keen to make up for years on the road Lily announced a break from touring and recording in March 2010 so she could settle down into a ‘normal' life with partner Sam. Barely had the paint dried on the walls of their new abode when along came the very welcome news that Lily is pregnant.

The series charts a tumultuous year in Lily's life - a year which she now says has fundamentally changed her as a person and which she talks about candidly.

Episode 2

The second programme sees the girls hunt for their perfect shop location; pitch for a bank loan; and start marketing Lucy in Disguise. And Lily's personal life takes two huge steps forward as she moves house and announces to the world that she's expecting a baby.

It's now May and the girls are due to open their shop in September. They're still without premises for their shop and Lily has already invested a substantial amount of her own money into the business.

Whilst Lily stepped away from her showbiz life two months ago, she is pulled back into the limelight for the Ivor Novello song writing awards at the Grosvenor Hotel where she is nominated for three awards.  Despite her reservations about going, Lily is overcome with emotion as she wins all three awards, including two for her single "The Fear". In a tearful acceptance speech, Lily says she finally feels accepted by her peers.

Meanwhile Sarah and Jess start the hunt for shop premises. With an annual budget of £40,000 to cover rent they trawl the streets of London to find the perfect location for their vintage store. 

But the shop isn't Lily's only priority. A large part of her exit plan from touring is to set up a home for her and partner Sam. They have bought their first home together which she is busy renovating. Whilst giving a tour of the work in progress Lily talks about their future plans together and how she believes that caring for a family is her ultimate vocation.

Back at the office Sarah is working flat out establishing the business, sleeping in the office and crunching numbers non-stop. She has been working on a business plan to secure a bank loan as Lily's initial investment is running out. Going through their start up costs is a huge eye opener to the realities of setting up a profitable retail outfit. 

The girls call on Mary Portas again to help them find a location for their shop. Lily has a romanticised idea of being behind the till in a shop that's a ‘destination retail' store but Mary believes that isn't a viable commercial option.

With important decisions still to be made, Lily is absent from the office to move house, leaving Sarah and Jess to plough on with the business. The sisters went into the business together but , during this period, Sarah is often left to do the bulk of the work, and Lily is impressed with how well she has taken on the finances on her own.

The day of reckoning arrives as they head to the bank to ask for a six figure sum to invest into their business, or else Lucy in Disguise won't become a reality.

Meanwhile, Jess is busy planning the press and marketing to launch the store, with a huge fashion shoot and press event with Lily and Sarah.

And it soon becomes apparent why Lily has been so removed from the business and keeping a low profile, as she confirms  that she is expecting a baby and has suffered from terrible morning sickness.

But with only six weeks to go until Sarah and Lily are due to open the store, they are still without premises for the business. Can Sarah and Jess persuade Lily that a store in Covent Garden is their perfect fit?

Episode 3

In the final programme Lily and Sarah face the final hurdles of getting the shop open and host a glittering launch night for the shop, but the year ends in devastation for Lily.

It's August and Lily and Sarah have found the premises for Lucy in Disguise, but with just five weeks until opening they are yet to move it and set up shop. With the layout and design to complete, a launch party to arrange and stock to move, it's all hands on deck.

In the countdown to opening they consult Mary Portas again about the layout of the shop and they hit stumbling block when the sisters disagree over having a blow dry bar they'd planned for extra revenue - just three weeks before opening.

The sisters send out 600 invites for their launch party, and the worlds press are eagerly waiting the unveiling of the shop. It's an emotional moment for Sarah when she sees the finished shop for the first time.

Their star-studded launch night arrives and the girls get a rapturous reception from friends, family and the press. Finally Lucy in Disguise is open. As the cocktails flow, the girls Mum Alison, and Lily's dad Keith, join them to celebrate what they have accomplished. But nothing could prepare Lily and her family for what came next.

She returns to work in January and reflects on the tumultuous year; a year which she now says has fundamentally changed her as a person.

Episode 1

The opening programme joins Lily backstage at The O2 Arena on the final night of her tour. Tired of life on the road she has announced she is quitting touring in favor of a quieter life, and wants to realize another dream - opening a vintage shop.

Along with her half sister Sarah, a total business novice, Lily plans on making couture and vintage pieces available to those who may not be able to afford such luxury items in an innovative clothes store where customers can hire or buy one off designer garments.

They set out transforming Lily's office into the set up base for their business. But all they have is the name - Lucy in Disguise - and an idea.

To make up for their lack of experience and transform their dream for the shop into a viable business Sarah and Lily hire Jess Morris as their brand director. With 15 years in the fashion industry under her belt Jess has worked for the likes of Agent Provocateur and Vivienne Westwood, and it's her job to help them find the right shop in the right place with the right stock. 

Whilst Lily is easily carried away spending her hard earned money on amazing one off items, Sarah is tasked with sorting out the company finances as she undergoes a crash course in business management to try and devise a budget for the project.

They start splashing the cash on couture fashion for stock but receive some home truths about their shop idea from retail guru Mary Portas after a focus group is unsure about the shop's concept and prices.

Tensions between the sisters are running high as Sarah tries to take financial control of the business and Lily talks openly about the rift in their relationship when they were younger.

Away from the office Lily welcomes cameras into the home she shares with Sam to discuss why she wants to opt out of fame, and reveals how her slim figure the press raved about in 2009 was the result of an unhealthy relationship with food.

Lily Allen: From Riches to Rags. Tue 15 Mar, 10pm, Channel 4

Last September Lily Allen and her sister Sarah Owen launched their vintage clothing store Lucy in Disguise. After months of planning, hard graft and learning how to run a business, all whilst Lily moved house and fell pregnant, their vision finally became a reality as the store opened to a rapturous reception from the fashion world. 

Channel 4 cameras followed the sisters every step of the way. Lily Allen: From Riches to Rags charts the metamorphosis of Lily Allen the pop star to Lily Allen the fashion retailer.  Lily gives up the security of hugely successful music career to move into the precarious world of running a small business - completely uncharted territory as neither herself nor Sarah have any previous retail experience. 

But that's not the only change in Lily's life. Keen to make up for years on the road Lily announced a break from touring and recording in March 2010 so she could settle down into a ‘normal' life with partner Sam. Barely had the paint dried on the walls of their new abode when along came the very welcome news that Lily is pregnant.

The series charts a tumultuous year in Lily's life - a year which she now says has fundamentally changed her as a person and which she talks about candidly.