iStylista’s exclusive Ben De Lisi interview

In his search for the ultimate fabric, international fashion designer Ben de Lisi has recently looked beyond the usual silks, velvets and tuiles, and been inspired by Kleenex’s softest ever tissue.

I was intrigued to ask him about his insight, find out just how hard the tissue was to work with and how he got to where he is today, along with some questions I am just dying to know.

Sarah-Jane Gardiner - So Ben what was your first fashion memory?

Ben De Lisi - My first fashion memory was a camel hair coat with leather buttons, chocolate/camel coloured leggings with stirrups on the foot a little cap in camel with a leather visor. It was my Easter outfit.

S-JG- And was that the first thing you designed?

BDL- No I never designed that but I remember my mother put us in them. I had camel, Brother Michael had blue and Steven had red.

S-JG- What was the first thing you ever designed?

BDL- The first thing I ever designed was a PVC black metallic rain slicker type blouson which has creases on the shoulders. It was very 1970’s, I know it sounds perfectly awful, I guess in retrospect it was but I sold a lot of them.

S-JG- How would you describe your own personal style?

BDL- Preppy with a twist.

S-JG- How does it feel to be a role model?

BDL- (shyly) Humbling.

S-JG- Is there anything you have designed and regretted?

BDL- No I don’t have any regrets about any thing.

S-JG- If you were not an interior or fashion designer what would you be doing?

BDL- Painting and sculpturing.

S-JG- How did you feel the first time you got to show at London fashion week, and did you get that same feeling when the people you were mentoring on project catwalk got to show their designs?

BDL- I was nervous and sick to my stomach when I first went to London fashion week and took to the catwalk. London fashion week is a big fashion capital event and they are very quick to tear down their own. It was very nerve racking for me to do that and I felt very proud for the people (from project catwalk) that got to the final but I was also frightened for them as well because I knew it was a very big undertaking.

S-JG- How long does it usually take you to come up with a collection?

BDL- 3 months

S-JG- If you had the chance to dress anyone who would it be?

BDL- Julianne Moore

S-JG- If you could collaborate with anyone who would it be?

BDL- I would love to take over the Jean Muir collection.

S-JG- You have achieved so much in your career, from your home wear range and ready to wear range at Debenhams, to your bridal range and of course project catwalk. What is next on your list?

BDL- Next on my list would be a beach house some where hot so I could sculpt and paint for the rest of my days.

S-JG- Your dogs were obviously your inspiration for some of your home wear but what else inspires you?

BDL- Any thing in the 1950’s inspires me. I find 1950’s – 60’s very inspiring, I find artists like, Rothko, Kandinsky, Nicholson those kind of artists, Braque, Brancusi, and Arp - all of them. I find that whole period very inspiring.

S-JG- So you have made glamorous gowns to hospital gowns and now you are designing a dress out of Kleenex tissue. Has this been the most challenging experience for you?

BDL- Well I wouldn’t say it was the most challenging, the most challenging thing is making sure the shape of the dress is just right so it photographs from every angle perfectly. But what I would say is that it is time consuming and you have to be very, very careful and very, very delicate with it, because at the end of the day you are working with tissue which is very fine and delicate and your fingers can go right through it. So it was challenging as in the tissue was not easy to sew.

S-JG- How hard was it working with tissue, and did you have any blunders along the way?

BDL- No.

S-JG- The dress does not look like it is made out of tissue - it looks, and it fits, Lisa Snowdon like a glove. You two have been friends for years, is she easy to work with?

BDL- Lisa’s great, she’s very honest with me, she has a very womanly, aspirational body, really fabulous, I love Lisa. I had a great time working with her.

S-JG- You made this dress completely by hand. How long did it take to make?

BDL- 3 days.

S-JG- What has been your favourite garment from any of your collections and why?

BDL- It has to be a black strapless dress with gold foil print which came from the design of a rocker. I played with the design. It was a gold foil print at the bodice and around the hem and it was a very tight fitting fishtail, bias gown and Kate (Winslet) wore one of those dresses (not that particular one) from that very collection with the foil print, but not the same design. I think it was for the BAFTA awards many, many years ago. But that dress continues to be one of my all time favourites because it speaks volumes about me. Its glamorous, it’s a very simple silhouette and it makes an entrance and it makes an exit.

S-JG- What has been the highlight of your career so far?

BDL- Seeing Kate Winslet walk on the red carpet and getting my award from Princess Diana for glamour designer of the year.

S-JG- How have your own experiences influenced your work as a designer?

BDL- My own experiences are that no- one gives anything for nothing, you only get out what you put in. Respect those who respect you back and always, always, ALWAYS be true to yourself always.

S-JG- When you are not busy designing what could we find you doing?

BDL- Flopping on the sofa, reading, with the dogs piled all around me.

S-JG- If you could click a button and be anywhere in the world where would you be?

BDL- I would be on the beach with white sand, and a house with glowing white muslin drapery over looking the sea with my dogs and some one to love.

S-JG- Where do you see yourself in 5 years time?

BDL- (laughs) A lot richer than I am now and I see myself in that very house that I just talked to you about.

S-JG- You have been so successful, what advice would you give anyone wanting to follow in your footsteps?

BDL- You have got to want it 1000%, you have got to keep your eyes open, your mouth shut, your ears open and you have got to be hungry because if you are not any of those you will never make it work. Pay your dues first because you can’t go in at the top.

S-JG- Work your way up...

BDL- Exactly.

Some facts about Ben;

Favourite city? New York.
Favourite colour? Red.
Sweet or savoury? Savoury.
Tea or coffee? Tea.
Summer or winter? Summer.
Country or city? City.
Book or magazine? Book.
Phone call or text? Text.

Ben is so down to earth and an absolute pleasure to interview.

Thank you.