The Lisa Ho Interview
Lisa Ho, the Sydney-based Australian fashion designer, was in Brisbane on March 22nd for the Wintergarden Winter Fashion Gala – which showcased the Lisa Ho label as the finale collection. Lisa dresses many high profile celebs: Tyra Banks, Lara Bingle, Megan Gale, Delta Goodrem, and her favourite, Sarah Wynter. I enjoyed a chat with Lisa during the pre-parade cocktail party (for her special Brisbane clients) at the Lisa Ho store.
QUESTION: Where did it all begin with Lisa Ho?
Answer: My Grandmother was a beautiful tailoress so for me I was sewing my dolls’ clothes at four years of age.
QUESTION: Will you encourage your own daughter to be involved in the industry?
Answer: My daughter is eleven years old and has been coming backstage to the fashion parades since she was very small. She doesn’t sew, like I did, but she has a great eye for design and other details.
QUESTION: Lisa your fabrics are fabulous, do they inspire your designs?
Answer: Yes for me it all starts with the fabrics. Some fabrics require certain things - certain things have to be handled certain ways.
QUESTION: Do you archive pieces from each season. Is their a museum yet?
Answer: Yes, a large collection. I have been collecting vintage pieces since I was 15 years old. Mainly beautiful old European pieces – remember the Banana Room in Adelaide, well I was fortunate enough to be able to buy a lot of their things. I also bought a complete collection off a well known Sydney lady plus I do keep some Lisa Ho pieces – probably have a total of about 18,000 pieces in the collection now.
QUESTION: The conundrum for most women is juggling career with motherhood and family life. How do you manage this aspect – growing your business and raising your family?
Answer: I am very fortunate. I have a very good support system in place. It was hard at times – in the early days I did miss out of some of the precious moments with the children – I do have a full-time nanny. But nowadays I am able to be with the children more and I don’t miss out on those special times. I try to work everything around the family now that the business is well established. It’s not always easy.
QUESTION: What is your personal style?
Answer: I am fairly understated – I play it down. I guess I work with glamour but I don’t dress glam like some of my clients – I just stay in neutral!
Answer: In 2005 my show at the Sydney Town Hall – just hearing that roar of approval from the audience. My friend Sarah Wynter was also in the audience.
QUESTION: Your travel wardrobe, is it all Lisa Ho?
Answer: Pretty much so. Dark denim jeans are a great piece for travelling. For the woman with a hip it’s more flattering to wear a bootleg style and for the woman with boy hips, she can do a skinny leg. I personally prefer a non stretch fabric, but I do know most women want a bit of stretch in the denim.
QUESTION: A travel tip for all of us?
Answer: I take outfits, yes complete sets that work, so that all the pieces work together.
QUESTION: Your favourite travel destination in the world?
Answer: Venice, yes definitely Venice.
What a delightful and inspiring person. I have worked with her on many parades over the years and she is always so well mannered and lovely to work for. Once again this season Lisa has given us a collection of stunning fashions for lunch wear, career, races and those red carpet occasions in our life. Her LISA HO store opened in the Wintergarden in 1998 and is one of the most enticing stores you will ever enjoy shopping in.
