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Creative Director for BenDeLisi
Debbie joined cult designer Ben de Lisi 15 years ago as Sales Director after a five year period working in sales and marketing for swimwear designer Liza Bruce.
Debbie has helped build the Ben de Lisi brand in the UK and overseas and overseen the brand’s expansion into interiors, bathrooms, fragrance and stand alone stores.
Debbie has helped build the Ben de Lisi brand in the UK and overseas and overseen the brand’s expansion into interiors, bathrooms, fragrance and stand alone stores.
Q. Who or what has most inspired you in your life?
A. My parents. They instilled in me a fantastic work ethicand determination without being ‘pushy parents’.
Q. Who do you consider to be the most inspirational people in the world?
A. All the people in the world who take care of others without financial gain, day in and day out.
On a business front Sir Richard Branson.
Q. What’s your definition of success?
A. Achieving what you set out to do.
Q. What is the key to success?
A. Never stop trying; there is always another hill to climb.
Q. What boundaries have you had to overcome in order to achieve success?
A. I can’t really think of any. I work in an industry that on the whole is about women so I haven’t had to battle with the ‘suits’.
Q. What is the most important piece of advice you’ve been given?
A. My Granny told me to take the place I’d been offered at a London college to do a degree in English, which meant leaving home and my horses.
Q. What advice would you give to women looking to get ahead in their career?
A. Never give up, be determined don’t loose your feminine side.
Q. What’s the most important thing in your life?
A. My boyfriend, my dog Pebbles and my family.
Q. What’s the best thing that’s happened to you?
A. Meeting Alex, my boyfriend, eight and a half years ago, and meeting Ben De Lisi and becoming business partners fourteen years ago.
Q. What’s the worst?
A. My fathers death nineteen years ago.
Q. What’s the best mistake you’ve ever made?
A. Saying yes when I knew I should have said no!
Q. What’s your favourite item of clothing?
A. There are too many to mention, I have so many favourite dresses from our collection. I am also a huge shoe collector.
Q. Describe your style?
A. Low key, modern, sexy but not vulgar.
Q. How does hosiery fit into your life?
A. Hosiery is essential in the Winter. It completes a look.
Q. Suspenders, body control, opaques or sheers?
A. Opaques
Q. Silk or cotton?
A. Both
Q. Gym or Couch?
A. Gym
Q. What makes you feel sexy?
A. When I feel good about myself, not only on the outside but on the inside too, and whenever I’m with my boyfriend Alex.
Q. One word to describe yourself...
A. Lady
Q. What’s your secret weapon?
A. A good sense of humour.
