GLAMOUR GIRLS: FOOTBALLERS' WIVES FASHION SECRETS

0 Comments | Sunday Mirror, Feb 22, 2004 | by Words: Naomi Greenaway

M Celebs visited the set of Footballers' Wives to speak to the woman responsible for the amazing clothes on the show. She reveals how the outfits are chosen, who designed them and how much they cost...

'At the start of the first series my brief from the producers was to be glitzy, glossy and Dallas-esque, so that's what I've done. Nothing is too bright or outrageous for the show, and we've gone further each series. In series three, there's a 70s party, a house- warming, a fashion show and a funeral - lots more opportunity to glam it up.

'I find the clothes all over - designer outlets, high street shops like TK Maxx, the Littlewoods catalogue - anywhere I see something I like. I design some items myself, but I don't have the time to make them, so I get someone else to do that. There's a lot of designer stuff obviously, but I try not to go for things that are recognisable. I now don't buy D&G because it's everywhere. I don't want people sitting in their front room, saying, "I've got that dress and I've got that top too". Anne Klein, Hunters and Gatherers, and Escada are among my favourites.

'I look at everyone for ideas, not only real footballers' wives, but actresses, models and pop stars. But I hate to copy precise looks. Although Conrad (the new David Beckham-alike boy, played by Ben Price) wears a diamond cross, we actually shot the scenes before Becks wore his.

'I'm obviously interested in the Beckhams' look, but I prefer David's style to Victoria's. He's a trendsetter. He's tried some challenging looks and always manages to carry them off. Victoria is very daring, but she does it for obvious reasons - she wants to be photographed. One of my favourite outfits of hers was the beige leather bustier and net coat with leather leaves she wore in Venice two years ago. It's worth thousands of pounds, so I guess if any of us wore it we'd look amazing too.

'Personally, I don't like the way the Beckhams wear matching outfits - it's a bit naff. In the series the couples' outfits have to work well together and very occasionally they do co-ordinate, but it's make-believe - the Beckhams do it in real life.

'When I got the job a few years ago I went for dinner with a real footballer's wife (I won't name names, but her husband played for Wimbledon) to get an idea of their style. She said they're very competitive, especially when it comes to clothes. They like labels - Louis Vuitton bags, Cartier watches and Gucci belts - but they also take great delight in turning up at a glam do in something that's not obviously labelled and dressing it up with one designer accessory. They also like a bit of cleavage - which is where our fake boob accessory box comes in.

'None of the footballers' wives I've met have been offended by the series, although Louise Redknapp said real footballers' wives aren't like the show. But I saw a TV documentary on her and all she did was shop on Sloane Street.

'The actors are always happy to wear what I put them in and the girls never make a fuss about wearing anything low or short. I know what suits them and they trust me - it would be bad for my reputation too if I made them look unattractive. Occasionally I'll go shopping with the actors. Gary Lucy is great to shop with. He does get a lot of attention, but we usually go to places like Harvey Nichols where people are a bit too cool to make a fuss. Jordan also appears in this series, but she arrived on set as Jordan - and that's how I left her. I had enough on my hands without having to dress those boobs...

'I only have a budget of pounds 4,000 per episode, which isn't much when you consider you can't have your main cast looking a million dollars and the extras looking like tramps. Tanya's Scott Henshaw wedding dress is the most expensive item that's ever appeared on the show. We only paid a couple of thousand for it, but it's worth about pounds 15,000. Most designers are happy to be associated with the show and lend us clothes or give us a good discount. Moschino and Ray-Ban send us sunglasses, which is great. Escada and Anne Klein are also really helpful. They both have a slightly older clientele and wanted to interest younger women, so the series is a great opportunity for them to do that.

'There are certain designers, like Roland Mouret and Gharani Strok, who wouldn't lend their clothes - maybe they think the programme's not classy enough - but the people at Versace are the only ones who have ever been rude. I made contact with Donatella directly through someone I know, but when I called the press office to organise something, they were obnoxious. It was almost as if they were saying, "How dare you make contact without us."

'Some of the clothes on the show are outrageous, but some are magnificent and I'd definitely put people in them in real life. I like nice clothes myself, so some of my own things have crept into the programme. I've used a Dolce & Gabbana shirt, a leather coat, Gina shoes and my own jewellery. In fact, one of the first dresses Tanya wore in series one was mine. It's an Amanda Wakeley full- length silver satin dress. It looked fantastic on her - which is probably why I haven't worn it since.'