Lee Lapthorne has been described by ‘Design Week’ as one of the country’s hottest creative talents, and the magazine even included him in their annual list of the 50 most important people in design today alongside highly regarded names such as Lord Rogers, Jane Shepherdson, Established and Sons and Thomas Heatherwick.

After studying at the University of Central England in Birmingham and completing a Master of Arts in Textiles in 1998, Lee went on to become the head of the University’s Master of Arts (MA) fashion course in 2000. By 2003, Lee had established his own fashion event management company Doll UK, based in London, and was well on his way to dominating the fashion scene.

In the same year, Lee’s ever flowing creativity led him to establish a pioneering venture called On|Off. It is a showcase that runs during London Fashion Week and provides a unique platform for well known and emerging fashion designers to preview their collections at the prestigious Royal Academy of Arts.  It is the only credible alternative to the shows managed by the British Fashion Council, with whom Lee works closely. Jasper Conran and Allegra Hicks are just two of the famous designers who showcased at the On|Off show in February this year. Lee mentors the selected designers of On|Off for Marketing, brand awareness, market awareness, showcasing and brand management, this is an extension of Lee’s lecturing programmes.

As one of the country’s leading fashion and event management experts, Lee was chosen by Channel 5 as the catwalk mentor for its hit November 2006 series ‘Make Me a Supermodel’. He appeared on the series to offer his advice and encouragement to contestants on their catwalk performances. Earlier this year, he also appeared on GMTV LK Today’s ‘Top Model’ competition, in the search for a mature female model. 

Lee added more TV credits to his portfolio in September 2007 with major appearances in the BBC2 documentary series “Grandmas Back in Business” which followed his agency Doll. Lee starred in this prime time BBC2 documentary centred around On|Off and mentored candidates. “Living with Kimberly Stewart” and still to be aired “Project Catwalk,” “The Passions of Girls Aloud” and “Mary Queen of Shops”

Lee’s work has taken him to the glamorous cities of Paris and Barcelona where he has produced catwalk shows, the Doll, has produced shows at Clothes Show Live. Seen as a voice of authority in fashion design and management, Lee is continually invited to speak and lecture at various institutions, including the ICA in London where Lee spoke at ‘The Death of Taste’ conference last November. 

With his own event management company, continuing television roles and producing International catwalk shows, it would hardly seem possible that Lee could find time to fit in fashion students as well! But he has a lecturing career of over 10 years, supporting both undergraduate and Masters students on University courses, including UCE, LCF, UCCA and Northampton College.