As Pippa Middleton Wears Temperley On The Red Carpet, Designer Alice Temperley Dishes On British Style: Exclusive Interview

Glossy brunette waves, a dazzling white smile, lashings of eyeliner and tanned limbs swathed in a Temperley creation - nope, we're not talking about Kate Middleton, it's her little sister that's caught our eye this morning. Pippa Middleton hit the red carpet for the premiere of Shadow Dancer in London last night and looked glossier than ever wearing a a figure-hugging dress by her favourite frock-maker.

The Duchess of Cambridge and her stylish sibling are known to share style advice and while Pippa graced the Temperley front row at London Fashion Week and wore a Temperley gown for the Royal Wedding after-party, Princess Kate has oft turned to the Brit designer for those high-profile occasions. Most memorably, she opted for a floor-length Temperley London lace dress to walk the red carpet at the War Horse premiere in December and who could forget that pleated white number for a trip to Wimbledon earlier as well as the embroidered Alice by Alice Temperley shirt with bootcut jeans and a cowboy hat in Calgary.

As for the frock Pippa wore yesterday, this is ALICE by Temperley's Sweetheart Ruby Dress made of stretch ponte fabric combined with a leaf motif lace. The lace neck piece attached in the sweetheart shape gives the design a super-feminine edge. And guess what Middy fans? It's available NOW! and is on SALE! from £325 to £162.50 at www.temperleylondon.com

So as Temperley becomes the Middleton sisters' designer of choice, Grazia Daily spoke to the divine Alice Temperley about dressing everyone from Kate to J-Lo and what makes Brit style so ruddy marvellous...

Grazia Daily: What is the Temperley signature throughout all of your creations?

My love is in the detail. We have a design signature that is quintessentially British, feminine, timeless and effortless with an independent spirit.

Grazia Daily: Do you have a muse?

My muses are my friends, family and the people I work with. These women are independent, feminine and diverse in character, they all like to enjoy their clothes and have a zest for life.

Grazia Daily: If you could give women one piece of fashion advice, what would it be?

It is important you dress for your body and find out what works on you, rather than following trends for the sake of it.

Grazia Daily: Of all the women who've worn your dresses, which lady were you most excited about seeing in your design?

It is such an honour and incredibly flattering when any woman, famous or not wears my designs. I turned up to a small dinner in Rajasthan once and 12 women out of 15 were wearing our clothes by complete coincidence, this was incredibly flattering as it was a small dinner and I did not know any of them and they were not expecting me. It was a special moment.

Grazia Daily: What do you think of Kate Middleton's style?

She is very stylish both inside and out.

Grazia Daily: Jennifer Lopez was recently seen giving your sequin jacket a ghetto spin. What was your reaction?

I thought she looked fabulous and loved how she made it her own.

Grazia Daily: Are there any other ladies you’d like to work with?

Audrey Tautou and Marion Cotillard are both women I admire and would like to dress.

Grazia Daily: What's been the highlight of your career so far?

It’s hard to choose just one specific highlight; the first ever runway show was very special and being chosen by Anna Wintour to represent designers in their 20’s in a large feature shot by Annie Leibovitz for American Vogue in 2004. And of course, being awarded my MBE by Her Majesty the Queen at Buckingham Palace in the 2011 New Year’s Honours. I am also very proud over the fact we have been able to stay independent and it goes without saying - seeing clothes being worn and loved by so many women over the years. 

Grazia Daily: What young or up-and-coming designers are you excited about?

I was delighted to hear that Chloe Jones, who has worked with Temperley in Bicester whilst at university, not only won the highly prestigious George Gold Award, but also the Best Womenswear Title at Graduate Fashion Week 2012.

Grazia Daily: What's one thing people would be surprised to know about you?

My party tricks include the splits, general double jointed demonstrations and opera solos… 

Grazia Daily: It's a great year to be British – what do you love most about British style? 

The individuality and eccentricity of true British Style is something I love. For me British Style is about being able to think out of the box and to be truly individual and not follow trends for the sake of it. One day, if I don't have to work so hard, I would love to channel the more off the wall eccentric that lives within me… 

Grazia Daily: What's your average day like?

I am a morning person, so I am always up early for breakfast with my son. I am in the office at 9am at the very latest and spend my days in meetings, designing, planning forthcoming collections, working on various special design projects – it is fairly non stop as we have lots of exciting new things launching and happening this side of Christmas.

Grazia Daily: How do you stay organised? 

I have a great team around me - my beloved PA Zoe is a life saver!  I have always been very organised and have been able to multi task in a big way. Since as long as I can remember I have always carried my Filofax which includes a notebook I write everything in and stores all the cards I need in everyday life. I love functional accessories that are also stylish. The new Temperley for Filofax collection, launching this September is great - we are introducing two new styles and I’m really looking forward to seeing the response to them.

Grazia Daily: Do you remember your first Filofax? 

I had a narrow red leather one growing up – I still have it with addresses in next to my phone in Somerset.

The new Temperley for Filofax collection will be available from 17^th September 2012 in pocket, compact and personal sizes, priced £45 - £165, www.filofax.co.uk