9 Questions With Jenna Tyrwhitt-Drake of Lily & Bean

Every bride-to-be needs an “It” bag. The kind that looks just as at home at the top table as it does poolside in Positano. For the past decade, that bag has been Lily & Bean. Founded in 2016 by Jenna Tyrwhitt-Drake, the brand has become a fixture in the wardrobes of the style set, beloved for its quietly luxurious designs and signature personalisation.

The story began when Jenna, already known in fashion circles for launching luxury outerwear and accessories label Popski London, moved to her husband’s farm and found herself hunting for a chic, personalised tote that didn’t cost the earth. She sourced a classic canvas bag, enlisted a local artist to paint her initials and stripes, and unwittingly created Lily & Bean’s now-iconic chain tote. Within days, hundreds had sold, sparking a cult following from London to Los Angeles.

The guest list of admirers reads like a Tatler party page: Paris Hilton, Kris Jenner, Millie Mackintosh and Vogue Williams among them. More recently, the brand has taken the Middle Eastern market by storm, cementing its place as an international name.

This summer’s Beaded Bag collection marks its most glamorous chapter yet. Each piece is painstakingly crafted by skilled artisans, with fine beadwork forming motifs from Amalfi lemons to Serengeti wildlife. Styles range from elegant bamboo-handled totes to playful clutches, all fully customisable. For those wanting the ultimate statement, the Bespoke ‘Favourite Things’ Tote offers the chance to immortalise everything from your wedding venue to a love note in beadwork, creating a one-of-a-kind heirloom.

For brides-to-be and newlyweds, Lily & Bean is not just an accessory. It is a keepsake, a conversation starter, and a little slice of everyday luxury to carry long after the honeymoon.

I love working in the fashion industry because….

It’s forever changing. It’s not an industry I intentionally set out to work in, but I love the pace, and the massive wealth of opportunities it presents. Every day is so different, but that’s exactly what I love about it. I’m hands on in every aspect of the business, so alongside leading the fun creative side of Lily & Bean, I’m also there with the team managing the challenges from logistics and production. As any fashion business owner will testify, it’s very little glamour! I’m a naturally ambitious person so I don’t see anything as a barrier to growth, and I think that’s the key to our success as a brand. Designing and launching new bags that I know our customers will love, such as our newest Beaded Collection, is my biggest drive.

I’m best known for…

The Lily & Bean personalised chain totes. And as a person, I think my friends would say I’m best known for not taking ‘no’ for an answer!

My biggest achievement to date is…

Getting one of the Dragons Den team on board with Lily & Bean, despite not attending the show. It marks a new chapter for us and is one I’m so proud of and excited for. So this, alongside being asked to create all the gifts for Kylie Jenner’s birthday party in Italy! The celebrity response to the brand has been incredible, particularly since we launched our bespoke beaded totes. Lauren Sanchez Bezos posting her bespoke ‘The Fly That Flew’ tote on Instagram was a real pinch me moment. There is NOTHING we cannot bead.

I’m inspired by…

My children to keep growing my companies. My newest venture – Posie & Penn – is the perfect example of this. After trying and failing to source a design for my daughter’s bedroom, I realised there was a gap in the market for children’s beds that feel bespoke and elevated but without the bespoke price tag. Kids’ daybeds can be surprisingly expensive when using custom frames and fabrics, so I created a day-bed that combines style, quality, and affordability. It’s charming, practical, and designed to bring a little joy to any child’s space, or a guest room. The drawer pulls out to create a second bed which is perfect for sleepovers.

The current trend I’m loving is…

Brown. Mocha Mousse is the Pantone colour of the year and after the long amazing summer we’ve had I’m now fully ready to embrace Autumn and all the clichés it brings. Our warehouse is full of our beautiful new AW collection in which rich browns feature heavily. Watch this space.

My favourite piece to take on honeymoon is…

Our Lily & Bean MRS Beaded Tote which we can personalise with any design and phrasing, for example your new surname and / or your wedding date. It’s so special and unique – exactly how any new bride should feel on their honeymoon.

My favourite place in the world to skip the crowds is…

Either Barbados or Cornwall. Two extreme ends of the spectrum I know, but united in their breath-taking beaches.

The best person to follow on Instagram for wedding inspo is…

I’m quite pleased I got married when I did because even 7 years on, with the rise and rise of social media the inspiration nowadays is quite literally endless. Two people I love are Millie Pilkington Photography, and Millie Richardson Flowers. I’ve also been slightly obsessed by Grace Beverley’s recent wedding for her insane attention to detail and normalising crazy internal bride monologues