Analytical expressions are given for the weight fractions in emulsions, which contains a lamellar liquid crystalline phase in addition to the two isotropic liquid phases. The fraction of liquid crystal is used to calculate the aqueous phase Volume requirements of vesicles formed from the liquid crystal during intense emulsification. It is demonstrated that these requirements become excessive for vesicles with a small ratio of interfacial layer thickness to core radius. (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.