Ben De Lisi
Ben De Lisi is the mentor to new designers on series 3 of Project Catwalk as well as working to create his new collection for London Fashion Week.
The popular red carpet designer took time out from his packed schedule to chat to Female First about new British talent, his autumn/winter 2008 creations and what we'll all be wearing this summer.
How did you get involved in Project Catwalk?
I was asked to get involved by a producer on another programme I worked on called Make Me a Supermodel. They thought I'd be perfect as a mentor for young designers because I am pretty much a good people's person. So that's pretty much how it happened and now I'm the longest cast member of Project Catwalk because I've done all three series.
Why did you want to take part?
Personally I wanted to get involved because it's a show that actually highlight talent, and isn't just a reality show in the sense that it's about eating bugs in a jungle. It's about actually about changing someone's life, honing their talent and being a launch pad for new British talent. The show in America called Project Runway has got incredible following and I aimed to create the same with Project Catwalk.
What are you looking for from the designers taking part?
I'm looking for technical proficiency, creative flair and hunger.
Is there anyone who you think can make it big in the industry?
Yes but I don't think I should name names at this point.
What challenges have the contestants yet to face?
They've had numerous challenges including creating their own signatire style- a brief sent by Zandra Rhodes. They had a task to create a dress to put Nancy Del'ollio on the A list. They had to recreate the Macintosh- a quality, luxury garment steeped in history. They will have to do an airline uniform and go to a vintage recycle shop and find the next new trend and create it. They will create a dress for Kelly Osbourne. They have lots of challenges ahead of them.
Do you think you would have benefited from something like Project Catwalk when you started out?
It wouldn't have because in my day my launch pad was actually on the job. It wasn't in front of camera or anything like that. I think it's changed now. I think Project Catwalk is a very good vessel to show what you're all about. But at the end of the day we have to remember it's a TV show so you also have to be infinitely watchable otherwise you don't stand the test of time. The good thing about Project Catwalk is all the characters are watchable and they come with their own personality and baggage and catwalk days are very strong because
You're also still producing seasonal collections for your own label. What can we expect from Ben De Lisi for Autumn/Winter 08?
My autumn/winter collection is based on an urban landscape colour palette of bronzes, granites and steels. They are very fluid silk drapes and metallic sequins. Lovely jack-hearted jerseys. The woman is a very understated young woman. Picture her in a black helicopter landing on a lawn of a country house. She's a very chic understated lady.
What are going to be the key trends this summer>
This summer is going to be about fun brights. There's lots of twisted bodice, manipulation of fabrics with lots of appliquéd fans and also very big lacquered discs, hologram sequins and some wonderful black and white graphic printed satins.
You are well known for dressing celebrities for the red carpet. Who is your favourite to dress?
My favourite is Kate Winslet because she's an avid fan and comes back to me all the time. I love dressing Kate because she looks great in my clothes, she's always pleased to wear them and she always gets put on the best dressed list when she wears them. It's a good working relationship and she's got a beautiful curvy body that shows off my clothes perfectly.
Caz Moss- Female First