Designer Leeanne Ripley Designs from the heart with eyes to make you stand out

1)For those who are not familiar with you tell us briefly who you are and what you do?

My name is Leeanne Ripley-Garrett and I am a Fashion Designer and my label name is Ripley-Garrett. I graduated from UCA in Rochester in 2010 and have been in the process of launcing my own label since leaving uni. I have showed my current collection all over London and dressed a few celebrities for film awards and photoshoots. I have taken taken part in several celebrity events such as the Urban Music Awards 2010. I also had three garments shipped to Bahraine Fashion Week 2010 with Fashionaires. I was also awarded the Radical Designer 2010 award.



2)There are so many designers out there what makes you different from them all?

My inspiration for my collections are very emotional and personal being gained from my own life experiences. I feel that when I create a collection it is always unique with a sence of mystery and depth to it. I think that the events and emotions througout my life that have inspired me would never be able to be copied as these are personal thoughts and feeling inside my own head. My style and designs are unique and full of emotion with a story to tell. I feel this adds a personal unique touch to the collection and for the wearer of these garments.



3)What 2 words best describe your garments?

Emotional, Extravagent.



4)Where do you get your inspiration from when designing?

I like to take inspiration from many different areas. I like to focus my collections on emotions and anything personal to myself to give the collection a deeper meaning. I also get inspiration from visiting museums and historical places. I am particuarly inspired by the costume collection held at the Victoria and Albert Museum and visiting castles and anything that has a story of history to tell. I am also a very spiritual person so I take inspiration from many areas connected to this such as The Tarot and Fairys and anything mystical and magical.



5)When not working what do you enjoy doing?

I enjoy spending time with my horse Dannie, its nice to get away from all the hussle and bustle of life at times. As every girl loves, I also enjoy hitting the shops for a bargain. And of course chilling out with my friends is always a must.



6)How can someone from the other side of the world view your work?

I am currently in the process of launching my website www.ripley-garrett.co.uk and I also have a lot of my work published on my Facebook Group that is avaliable to view now at Leeanne Ripley Fashion Design. My work is also avalaible to view on the Google search engine.



7)If there was 3 people you had the chance to dress who would it be and why?

The first celebrity I would dress would have to be Scarlett Johansson. I think she is a very talented actress and has a very elegant natural look about her and I think that my style of design would really compliment her at a red carpet event. My second celebrity would be Rianna. I love her quirky style and I think that I could design a really extravagant and crazy collection to suit her. My third celebrity would be Christina Aguilera. I love her style and the way she reinvents herself and her music. My collection is very cutting edge and unuique to each individual wearer and I feel my style of design would really compliment her edgy image. I love the fact that she never conforms to societys rules and has her own take on her style and image.



8)What's one thing you cant leave home without?

My makeup!!!! I am very particular about my image and never leave the house without my face on!!!



9)What kind of music would get you dancing on the dance floor?

A bit of old school Garage, Drum and Bass and anything cheesy from the 80's.



10)What do you think of a model with curves on the catwalk/bill boards?

I think its great to be able to work with a variety of different sized models. Every model and woman is unique. I feel that all women should be able to accept their size and curves and not be made to feel as thou they should be a size zero to fit into this perfect world of thinness that the media portray that we should all look like.



11)What are your 4 FASHION TIPS to all women?

My four fashion tips to women would be to wear a garment that you feel truly powerful and special in. Confidence can bring out the beauty in any garment and style.

Always dress to impress yourself and wear what makes you happy not what other people expect you to wear.

It is not about how much a garment costs that can make you look good, its definatly about how you style an outfit. Even the chepest outfit can be made to look expensive with the correct styling and accessories.

I never tend to follow trends. I create my own style and love to mix and match brands. Always be true to yourself and the style that you feel expresses your inner self. I think that if you style yourself from the inside out you can never go wrong.



12)Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

In five years time I want a chain of boutiques and I want to be showing at London Fashion Week. Aim high and always follow your dreams as nothing is unreachable if you truly have the desire to succeed and follow your goals in life.



13)What do you look for in a model who wants to walk the runway for your collection?

I like a model to be traditionaly tall and to be curvy with a striking compsoure and unique look about them. Confidence is a must, beauty is radient from within so if you feel beautiful on the inside your confidence will shine through on to the catwalk highlighting the best aspects of any collection.



14)What are 4 things coming from a woman that makes a man a real man?

Honesty, Loyalty, Compassion and support of each others dreams.



15)What message do you have for anyone who is thinking on becoming a designer?

Go for it!! Its a tough industry and a lot of hard of hard work for very little pay at times. But if you are truly passionate and dedicated to this industry then you will overcome these hurdles and learn as much as you can along the way. I returned to study Fashion Design as a mature student. I completed five years of studying and I do not regret any part of it. I have always been a very creative person and interested fashion since my first Textiles class at school. But ultimatly I never followed this dream as I always thought that the industry was to demanding to succeed in. Since leaving uni in 2010 I have had a great repsponce to my collection and met some amazing people along the way. If you have a dream then follow it don't look back in years to come and have regrets about not following your goals and ambitions.