Styled to Rock.s Henry Holland Interview

Styled to Rock's Henry Holland Interview

Style Network Launches Australian Premiere Thursday, February 7th at 8:30pm AEDT

Style Network has acquired the exclusive rights to air the first-ever television series from multi-Grammy Award winning artist Rihanna, in which promising British designers compete for a shot at international acclaim by undergoing a series of challenges aimed at identifying the next great British fashion designer. Robyn Rihanna Fenty serves as the series' executive producer and also makes guest appearances in the show, for which she has hand-selected a dozen candidates whose work she feels demonstrates promise, as well as a panel of celebrity mentors who both guide and help judge the work of the young hopefuls. 'Styled to Rock" premieres Thursday, February 7 at 8:30pm AEDT, only on Style.

'Styled to Rock" celebrates the extraordinary talent and creativity in the British fashion scene. With Rihanna, a fashion icon herself, and 'Girls Aloud" star Nicola Roberts, who created her own Dainty Doll make-up range, at the helm, the show recognises the increasing influence pop stars have on mainstream trends. Personally selected by Executive Producer Robyn Rihanna Fenty, the powerful fashion icons tapped to mentor the contestants include Lysa Cooper, who has styled some of music's most striking and talked-about stars, including Rihanna, and British designer Henry Holland, who runs the hugely successful House of Holland.

Executive Producer Robyn Rihanna Fenty said: 'I've always had a great love of fashion. It's a constant source of inspiration in my life, and is a big reason why I've grown into the person and artist I am today. I have been very fortunate to work with some truly amazing designers and stylists throughout my career, and they have been instrumental in making sure my creative vision reaches the stage. I am excited to follow the journey of our aspiring contestants and see how their individuality influences their efforts during the course of the show."

With her world-class reputation and passion for style, Rihanna is perfectly placed to find an aspiring British designer worthy of the chance to break into the hugely competitive world of fashion. While Nicola fronts the search, Robyn Rihanna Fenty, in her role as the Executive Producer, is heavily responsible for the choice of the 12 British designers invited to participate. Over ten weeks the unknown designers are challenged by Rihanna and Nicola to create outfits for a string of musicians and celebrities, culminating with a final challenge to create a performance outfit for Rihanna herself.

Alongside Robyn Rihanna Fenty, the series is Executive Produced by Sadia Butt from Sky and Ana De Moraes from TwentyTwenty.

Catch all the action when 'Styled to Rock" premieres Thursday, February 7th 2013 at 8:30pm AEDT only on Style.

Interview with Henry Holland

Question: Why did you decide to become a mentor on Styled to Rock?

Henry Holland: I really loved the concept of the show and thought it would be really interesting and exciting to be a part of. I think it's a great way of showing people how intrinsically linked the fashion and music industry is and the processes behind it.


Question: Why do you think a show such as Styled to Rock is so good for up-and-coming designers?

Henry Holland: Giving a designer who may or may not have even had any training and is making clothes on a lone sewing machine in their bedroom the chance to work with international music stars as big as Katy Perry, Cheryl Cole or Rihanna is incredible.


Question: What did you enjoy most about being on set for Styled to Rock?

Henry Holland: I'm a very nosey person by nature so I just loved being there all the time and being able to see what the guys were doing and how they were getting on. I really got on with the contestants too and the energy was really good.


Question: What was it like working with Rihanna and Nicola Roberts?

Henry Holland: Really fun – I have known Nicola Roberts for a few years and so it was really easy working with her and fun to have an old mate on set. Rihanna was everything you'd expect and more.


Question: Can you give us an idea of which musicians and celebrities the designers are styling?

Henry Holland: There are some really big international names in the show as you would expect with a producer like Rihanna – she has some friends in pretty high places!


Question: What inspires you when designing?

Henry Holland: Different things, we always like to tell a story with our clothes so that might be about a certain person or a certain movement or situation. My latest collection was all about the idea of a load of old grannies raving in a field!


Question: Which rock star would you most like to dress?

Henry Holland: Rihanna is pretty much the top of my list – which is why the opportunity for the guys in the show is so amazing.

Question: What style tips do you have for Australians who are about to head into Autumn?

Henry Holland: I have been in Australia in autumn and I needed shorts! I can't keep up with the weather there. I find it so confusing but if we are talking autumn in general then I would say get buying some great outerwear – the colder it gets the less people will see of anything under your coat!


Question: What advice do you have for young Australians who aspire to become designers?

Henry Holland: Work really hard and stay true to your vision and your message. Not everyone is going to love what you do so as long as you have courage in your decisions and they feel right, and as good as you can make them, then nobody can take away from that.