User:R. G. Lilliard/sandbox

D.A.LILLIARD

Derek Lilliard was born in1963 to Jamaican parents and grew up in South London. As a child his dream was to become a professional footballer; in his teenage years he played for Fulham, Crystal Palace and England Schoolboys, before injury curtailed his career at the age of 16. His mother, a trained dressmaker, then turned Derek to the art of tailoring and to study fashion design at the London College of Fashion, where he learnt patter cutting and grading for two years. Next he graduated in fashion at the Epsom School of Art and Design, before going on to specialize in menswear and receive his MA from Kingston.

During his education, time was spent organizing fashion shows for the local community, where he fused street styles with high fashion, a mixture that would later manifest to reveal his own successful commercial identity. Lilliard developed his ties with the music industry becoming involved in the styling of major bands for photographic shoots and tours. These included Jazzy B from Soul II Soul, The Pasadenas, Boys II Men and Take That. In the late eighties, Derek obtained experience and contacts in the fashion trade around Europe, but most specifically Italy. He lived here for several years utilizing their quality fabrications and production techniques. By 1993, having completed a thorough grounding in the fashion industry and having developed numerous contacts and celebrity clients, Lilliard opened his first shop in London’s Covent Garden. The following year Derek was commissioned to design two suits for the Street Style Exhibition for Victoria and Albert Museum London.

The Lilliard brand has continued to develop. The range has grown continually from tailored suits and shirts to its current full collection basis with accessories for both men and women. A series of fashion shows at London Mens Fashion Week, as well as across Europe and ever increasing press and media coverage has resulted for the man who dresses the stars. The best dressed names from sport, music, film and TV are regulars on his client list. From Tom Jones to Robbie Williams, Usher to Fun Loving Criminals, David Beckham to Ian Wright, Rio Ferdinand, David Ginola and Frank Lampard, cult movies Snatch to Gangster No. 1, or Johnathan Ross to Eddie Izzard and designing wardrobe for the flamenco dancer Joaquin Cortes. This link with celebrity has only helped the Lilliard brand in today’s media age.

His ability to fuse urban style with high fashion has developed throughout the years, resulting in a directional style that is contemporary and relevant. Elegant tailoring is highlighted with the injection of vibrant colour. The emphasis is on fit, be that his body hugging range of shirting, knitwear or leather biker jackets. Tailored denim jeans, teamed with sharp looking outerwear, the look completed with a piece from the luxury luggage range of accessories. It is just this combination that lends the Lilliard label the edge that has become its trademark.

Having worked closely with DTI (Department of Trade and Industry) between 1999 and 2003, Lilliard was invited to show his collections on the catwalks in Zurich and Bern, Switzerland as a part of British Fashion Night. He also consulted for Action Japan (Fashion Desk) department of DTI, as well as consulting and designing diffusion ranges for Arcadia group plc.

Many companies have shown interest in Lilliard’s flair for designing and throughout 2003 and 2005 he has consulted and worked closely with FIFA 100 for their merchandise for the Centenary Year, as well as consulting for the label Cavalli for their fashion event in February 2003. Working closely with the music industry, has resulted in Lilliard consulting many famous bands on their styling and look and most recently Lilliard worked with Sugababes for Cavalli. He has also supplied wardrobe for film “24 Hours in London”, “Snatch”, “Gangster No.1” as well as consulting wardrobe for series “Dream Team”. He is now also working closely with BBC and other TV channels.

Recent years have seen the creation of the Impromptu Design Group. A meeting place for creative talent that shares the Lilliard idea for contemporary style and classic design. Architecture, interior design, graphics and communications all fall under this umbrella. The Lilliard handwriting can now be seen in many of the leading London clubs, bars and restaurants. Lilliard’s influence now ranges from the chandeliers hung in the apartment of a Chelsea footballer, to the staff uniforms in Movida, The Pigalle Club, Aviva at Baglioni Hotel, Elysium, Taman Gang, Sanderson Hotel/St. Martins Hotel and re-launched Ronnie Scotts ….. Currently he is closely working with Wyndham Grand Hotel, previously know as Conrad Hotel in London Chelsea Harbour, consulting on re-launch of the hotel from staff uniforms to interior design.

The universal Lilliard style and design has provided Impromptu Design Group to forge alliance with one of the oldest groups in Dubai market, specifically Galadari family and their company GIO that exists solely to create branded luxury residential projects in Dubai. The Group and Lilliard have been commissioned to design the interior of the pent house apartment spread over 12,500 sq ft on the top floor of G-Tower for which Philippe Starck is the main consultant.

The Lilliard brand is now in to be launched in Japan through a major Japanese licensing company who are to.