09 March 2026
Culinary icon and author, Prue Leith, discussed lessons for young entrepreneurs and building her wardrobe around her eyewear at 100% Optical (1 March, Excel London).
Catwalk presenter, Annaliese Dayes, hosted a wide-ranging discussion with Leith and her style consultant, Jane Galpin.
The former Great British Bake Off host was at 100% Optical to launch her Modstyle range. Each frame is dedicated to a favourite cake, including ‘Angel,’ ‘Babka,’ and ‘Bienenstich.’
OT shares a snapshot of Leith’s insight on a range of topics – from treating eyewear as jewellery to the life-affirming joy of a bright coat in winter.
1 Her proudest achievement has nothing to do with baking
When asked about her career highlights, Leith talked about her role in establishing the Fourth Plinth at Trafalgar Square.
The fourth plinth at Trafalgar Square was left vacant for more than 150 years after plans for a statue of William IV on a horse were abandoned due to a lack of funds.
In the 1990s, Leith led a campaign that resulted in the vacant plinth becoming a space to showcase work from leading artists.
“I got a bee in my bonnet that they should put something in there, because it had been empty since 1840,” Leith shared.
“We got it turned into an exhibition space for modern sculpture. So now, every year, there are new sculptures on that plinth,” she said.
Artworks have ranged from a bright blue cockerel to a golden rocking horse and a giant ship in a bottle.
“Every time I pass it, I think that wouldn’t have happened without me. I'm quite proud of that,” she reflected.
2 The majority of her glasses have plano lenses
When asked to estimate how many pairs of spectacles she owns, Leith guessed that she had around seven pairs of glasses with prescriptions and 10 without.
She told delegates that she only really needs glasses for near tasks.
“I didn’t wear the glasses until my middle years, but I took to them like a duck to water. The minute I had a pair of glasses, I wanted another one,” Leith said.
She shared that she will often choose her glasses first when deciding what to wear.
“I’ll build a wardrobe around the glasses,” Leith said.
3 She is team glasses v handbags, every time
Leith told the audience that she seldom carries a handbag and struggles to understand the obsession with them.
“I do know they give people enormous pleasure, and I’ve got a friend who will spend the money that I would spend on a holiday, on a handbag,” she said.
She told the audience that her idea of a handbag is her pockets.
“Or my husband’s pockets – even better,” she said.
I didn't wear the glasses until my middle years, but I took to them like a duck to water
4 Colour puts a spring in her step
Leith shared with the audience how colour can lift her mood – whether it is a bright pair of glasses or a vibrant coat.
“If you put a bright pair of glasses on your face, I think you feel instantly more confident,” she said.
“It’s the same if you wear a yellow coat in the middle of the winter, it cheers you up,” Leith remarked.
5 She shared her advice for young people entering the world of business
Leith emphasised the importance of looking beyond the veneer of a business when establishing partnerships.
“You should never go into business with people you don’t admire and like,” she said.
“I think this is good advice for young people who are going into business too – they should only work for companies that they admire and where they're learning something, rather than just because they're being paid,” Leigh reflected.
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