FIVE MINUTES WITH… DENNIS BASSO

CT: Dennis, congratulations on the show you just previewed. Tell me more about your autumn winter 2018 collection.

DB:This collection’s inspiration was based on the Dennis Basso woman of the past 35 years translating some of the iconic looks for the modern woman of 2018.

CT: Talk me through your design process and how do you source inspiration, particularly your autumn winter 2018 collection?

DB: Inspiration for me comes from everywhere I look whether it’s a beautiful, the city streets or architecture. Anywhere that there is something visual to take in. All of this slowly sends you in a direction and at that point you run with it and such was the case for autumn winter 2018.

CT: Describe your autumn winter 2018 girl in three words?

DB: Modern, International, Flirtatious

CT: Why did you choose St. Bartholomew’s Church as your show venue?

DB: The architecture is magnificent. It is just a beautiful way to see these gorgeous models go up and down the aisle. It’s really an iconic building in New York and I like the idea of being a piece of history.

CT: With so many memories made, what would you say one of your career highlights has been to date?

DB: My career highlight was when I first moved my show to be part of official NYFW.

CT: What celebrity would you like to see if your collection and why?

DB: I wouldn’t mind designing something for Sofía Vergara. I think she is exciting, gorgeous and embodies the feel of the Dennis Basso international woman.

CT: You have been in the industry over 35 years, what do you think about American fashion?

DB: American fashion is a very important part of fashion worldwide. Many years ago when I first started everyone looked to shows in Paris and Milan as setting the benchmark, but today all eyes are on American fashion. America has some of the most important designers in the world.

CT: What do you think has happened to the design culture over the past 20 years?

DB: More of the rules are being broken about what people wear, what time of day they are wearing and what season they are wearing. Everything has changed. It’s very modern and people are interpreting fashion in their own way.

CT: How do you make your QVC line different to your main-line?

DB: At QVC the price point is completely different ranging from $50-200, whereas my Madison Avenue store collection ranges from $5,000 – $300,000. I think that we’re making faux fur for television and popular place clothing which is great because it allows so many people access to the Dennis Basso look at a reasonable price point.

CT: In 2011, you launched your first exclusive collection of bridal designs, what made you decide to enter the bridal

DB: Bridal is a very fun area because you’re really dealing with probably a woman’s happiest moment. There are trends in bridal, but at the same time it gives you the liberty to design many different looks and for many different style brides from the princess bride – to the sexy bride – to the sophisticated bride. The list goes on and on, and what you’re really doing when a woman is getting married her wedding dress really is her red carpet.

CT: What is next for Dennis Basso?

DB: In this new collection [AW18, above] we’re debuting a whole collection of day-time ready to wear looks and this is something very new and exciting; incorporating suede, leather and tweed.

CT: Do you have any words of advice for budding designers wanting to get into the industry today?

DB: It is most important to never lose sight of the goal post, to be focused and to not let anyone ever stand in the way of your creativity.

CT: Meghan Markle – do you think you’ll get the call to design her wedding dress?

DB: I’m not sure but it would be a wonderful call to get.

CT: If so, what would you have in mind?

DB: It’s important to keep in mind that at all royal weddings you need to be a bit covered, I would do an off-the-shoulder gown with ¾ length sleeves fitted to the waist with a voluminous ballgown skirt. Sketch below.