Lee Lapthorne FBC member is a textile designer, curator, catwalk show producer and creative director of The Doll and On|Off .
What’s happening at OnOff?
LL – At our new venue (Victoria House, WC1B 4DA) we have 16 catwalk shows and presentations this February 19 – 22nd, and 26 exhibition designers and artists. Our official party on 20th will feature none other that Neneh Cherry (last season Soul II Soul wowed the guests by performing live with Caron Wheeler) and a succession of secret gigs planned sometime over the event in aid of a charity working with children who survived the Haiti earthquake.
What are the highlights?
LL – We are really excited that J Maskery is following Pam Hogg’s successful come back steps in choosing On|Off to launch her new collection. And it’s our selection of debuting designers including On|Off Presents…(Friday 19th at 19:00hrs) that we are most excited about. Known for discovering and launching Mark Fast, Hannah Marshall and Richard Sorger, this season’s collections are focused and successful. Hosting Roksanda Ilincic’s show, known for her refined and beautifully crafted demi-couture pieces, is a huge honor for this season. Moreover, included in our exhibition are show pieces from Alexander Koutny’s Victoria Secrets catwalk show collaboration. Oh and not forgetting our limited edition travel wallets, this season designed by the renowned illustrator Richard Gray.
How long have you been producing shows for?
LL – I’ve been producing shows since 1996, but I am known for the creative shows I produced for Preen, Red or Dead and Robert Cary Williams (his famous ice dress, and the horse show were highlights). I’ve produced and directed shows that span the full spectrum of fashion from, to name a few, shows for Gucci, Hackett, Graduate Fashion Week, ‘Make me a super model’, ‘Britain’s Next Top Model’ and more, recently directing the vast Clothes Show Live and London main theatre shows.
What other project does On|Off have coming up?
LL – Due to the success of last season’s On|Off Paris Fashion Week showroom, we are managing our showroom for its second season, displaying the best of On|Off fashion collections for sale to international buyers. We are also producing short industry On|Off.tv films for the website and a unique blog. We are also currently researching ideas for new directions for the brand in support of the industry at large.
What’s your fashion background?
LL – I have an extensive fashion background, starting as a training manager for the Sears group in the late 80’s, to visual merchandising for Top Shop/Man and working in the creative team for shop refits whilst studying for my degree, graduating in 1996. I then won a bursary to study for my Textiles (for Fashion and Architecture) Masters, which I completed with distinction in 1998. In 1997 I worked for Zowie Broach on a pop video for the band Suede, who encouraged me to use my skills in producing and directing fashion shows. In 1998, I produced my first LFW show for Emma Cook and my production career grew from there… In 2001 I was invited back to the University I graduated from to run the MA Fashion Course for the UCE, where I gained the endorsement from Alexander McQueen to change its direction. I have continued to lecture in fashion and textiles at numerous institutions and I have helped to validate new University courses. I have just been appointed as the External Examiner at Central Saint Martin’s for the Textiles Degree course. I started On|Off in 2003, when no other initiatives like On|Off existed, supporting designers to showcase and sell their collections. I continue my hands on approach to support debuting designers showcasing at On|Off, such as Mark Fast and Yang Du. In 2009 I launched my own textiles range of mens fashion accessories with designer Clare Copland and our first collection debuted at Harvey Nichols Knightsbridge, London. I am currently working on a new fashion event, which will be launched in September 2010.
For more information visit On|Off.
