David Emanuel

Since graduating from the Royal College of Art, with a Masters of Art degree in Fashion Design, for the last twenty or so years, David Emanuel has established himself as a couturier of International repute; designing clothes for members of British and European Royal Families, and for some of the World’s most beautiful women.

Since becoming a household name worldwide, Emanuel is constantly asked by the media to give his views on his current projects, social tastes and style comments. He has been interviewed by most of the high profile British Hosts as well as such illustrious names as Barbara Walters, Jane Pauley, Merv Griffin and Joan Rivers. With this background and an amazing range of programmes of Breakfast Television, Afternoon Television Makeover Shows, Evening Quiz/Panel Games and even a Natural History Documentary, it’s no surprise to see Emanuel presenting in front of the camera.

Most recently David has been seen in BBC's Celebrity Cash in the Attic, but one of the reasons David has not been seen on UK screens alot recently is because he has been jet setting around the world filming four seasons of the extremely popular US show Shop The World which has been syndicated across the US and 39 other countries hosting a total, of 52X½ hour shows which were co-produced and Hosted by David and a 1hr Special. Another reason you may not have seen David here recently has been because of the intense work on launching his fashion collections, David Emanuel @ Bonmarché, for stores nationwide.

David will be seen on ITV's retrospective look at thirty years of 'An Audience With', and for France5 in July, contributing to the documentary 'Royal Brides'.

David is currently developing a new show with one of international production companies. Previously, David presented fashion stories for the BBC Television Network Series, Summer Scene.

David has had two major television profiles. The first being A day in the life of David Emanuel and the other ‘The House of David Emanuel.

He also co-presented with actress Margie Clarke, a ten part network fashion series called Swank. This was supported by national television advertising and a major press print campaign.

David was the creator of the character of ‘Frock Doctor’ for ABC Television (Network), USA. Appearing on a daytime show with fashion segments visiting ‘victim’s homes to re-organise and style their wardrobes/closets. This was followed by David Filming his own fashion series ‘Designed by Emanuel’ for HTV, a ten part series with Emanuel as both host and Executive Producer. Interviewing celebrities and members of the public, discussing their clothes and style problems, taped in front of a live studio audience. Which went onto a second series.

For Granada/Sky television, David hosted The David Emanuel Fashion Show, and for ITV, Out to Lunch series, hosting and cooking for celebrity guests, also for Granada The Make-Over Show and The David Emanuel Ultimate Make-Over-Show, an hour long fashion series, hosted by Emanuel David went on to Co-hosting Afternoon live and Cooking with David Emanuel, again as Host and cooking a Designer lunch at home. For BBC2 Television (Network) David hosted a thirty minute special ‘The Royal National Eisteddfod of Wales.

Around this time, David sang at the BBC 75th Anniversary Concert and started Hosting new show on Granada Television Shop Channel, and created Ladies who Lunch, an original concept filmed as a pilot. Emanuel hosts a chat show over lunch with three invited female celebrities, covering such diverse subjects as politics, astronomy and travel.

David Emanuel creations are worn by: Madonna; H.R.H. The Princess Royal; Mrs Michael Caine; Joan Collins; Faye Dunaway; Jane Seymour; H.R.H. The Duchess of Kent; Lady Lloyd Webber; Ivana Trump and Elizabeth Taylor, to name but a few….

In 1981 came the privileged commission of a lifetime. That of co-designing the wedding gown for H.R.H. The Princess of Wales, watched by an estimated 750 million people worldwide and entering him into the history books for eternity and instantly making him a household name.

1990 saw the launch of his solo career and label, ‘David Emanuel Couture’, based at his suite in The Lanesborough Hotel, Knightsbridge.

Some of Emanuel’s early fashion work has been quoted in print as ‘overblown romantic’, ‘fairytale’ and ‘theatrical’, so it will be of no surprise to learn that he has indeed gone on to design sets and costumes for film, television, ballet and the concert stage. ‘Frankenstein, The Modern Prometheus’ with sets and costumes designed by Emanuel was commissioned and world premiered by The Royal Ballet, at The Royal Opera House, Covent Garden. It was also staged and performed at La Scala Opera House, Milan.

‘Cinderella’ the most famous of all pantomimes, was commissioned with designs for both sets and costumes. It premiered at the Richmond Theatre, ‘the largest running pantomime in the history of theatre’, and has attracted an impressive line-up of celebrities. During its five year run, it went on the stage of the world famous London Palladium. The cast has included, Dame Anna Neagle, Des O’Connor, David Essex, Paul Nicholas, Lionel Blair and Patsy Kensit to name but a few…

David designed the wardrobe for leading lady Susan Brooks for her movie debut ‘Invitation to the Wedding’, starring John Gielgud. Also he designed the costumes for leading lady Jane Seymour’s role in the award winning television film, ‘War and Remembrance, and dressed the celebrated actress Susan Hampshire in the Frances Durridge thriller, ‘House guests’ at the Savoy Theatre, London

David Emanuel designed the wardrobe for the singer/entertainer Lulu in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Song and Dance. David dressed the critically acclaimed actress/movie star Sian Phillips as ‘The Snow Queen’ in the annual Christmas spectacular, ‘Joy to the World’, at The Royal Albert Hall, London. In addition, David styled the cast of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s musical ‘Sunset Boulevard’ at his private Sydmonton Court Festival prior to its West End opening.

Also currently designs for and styles the opera singer Lesley Garret, Britain’s most popular, top-selling Diva! As well as her concert performances he designed her first BBC2 special, ‘Viva la Diva’; indeed her first gown, a red silk taffeta crinoline creation, even inspired her album: ‘Soprano in Red’, making it her best selling album to date.

During his career Emanuel has commissioned and styled pictures with some of the world’s top photographers, including: Lord Snowdon; David Bailey; Horst; Skrebneski; John Swannell; Lord Patrick Litchfield and the late Norman Parkinson to name but a few…

Watching these greats in action using the expertise of their profession, he quite naturally took the next step and put himself behind the camera to shoot his own pictures. Indeed, his first commission was from none other than The Sunday Times.

If this was not all enough David has a Singing Career that others would envy -Whilst studying at senior school, Emanuel applied to both art and music colleges. Although accepted by both, the envelope from the art college arrived first so he went there. Coming from a Welsh speaking and musical background, he played the piano from an early age, was head chorister of his church choir, and was also a violinist in the County Youth Orchestra and singer in the County Youth Choir. In his spare time he taught himself the cello.

David concentrated on his professional fashion career and it wasn’t until the late 1990’s that his rekindled his other love, singing. Taking personal time out of his extremely busy schedule to study with Mr. Ian Adam, voice coach to Michael Crawford, Elaine Page and other West End/Broadway stars. Whilst meeting Mr. Geraint Evans, the then BBC Head of Entertainment, to discuss television projects, Emanuel was invited to be a guest on the ‘The Peter Karrie Show’ to sing and be interviewed alongside the actress, and client, Joan Collins. He performed ‘The Queen of Disguise’, an original euro-beat fashion song much to the surprise of Miss Collins, the studio audience and indeed the viewers at home!

David was also asked to be part of the guest line-up at the 75th Anniversary Concert of BBC Wales, singing live in front of an audience of four thousand people. He sang three classic songs in Welsh!

The spring of 2000 saw Emanuel collaborating with the composer Patrick Hawes (Boosey and Hawkes) to produce a contemporary/cross-over version of the famous duet: ‘Au Fond du Temple Saint’ from the opera ‘The Pearl Fishers by Bizet’ with Emanuel singing both parts. A finished demo CD was produced.

His singing style and sound is Easy Listening and he loves singing Romantic Ballads. During summer 2000 he was to be found busy finding suitable material; working in rehearsal and recording studios. This culminated in a very successful cabaret, his debut concert in America. He was accompanied by the legendary Lester Lanin Dance Orchestra. A demo CD was produced.

Upon his return, the BBC invited Emanuel back into the Studio, to be guest of the day on The Owen Money Radio Show, to talk about his new career as well as singing six songs live in the studio.

Some career highlights include :

Being made Honorary Fellow of the Welsh College of Music and Drama, Cardiff University.

Producing a CD compilation of romantic ballads.

Representing H.R.H. The Duke of Edinburgh at Gold Awards Ceremony in The Throne Room, St James’ Palace, London.

1980-1997, Working with Lady Diana Spencer-H.R.H. The Princess of Wales Pre-Engagement, The Royal Wedding including private and public engagements.

Having first book published, Style for All Seasons, and then A Dress for Diana both by Pavilion Books. In 2006, David published a 2nd edition Hard back & Special Limited Edition version this time published by Pavilion/Harper Collins

Being made Hon. Fellow of the Chartered Society of Designers.

Becoming the only British designer to participate in ‘Night of a Hundred Stars’ (Finale fashion spot) at Radio City Music Hall, New York, with actress Ann-Margret and the Rockettes.

Being asked to participate in Fashion aid with Sir Bob Geldof- charity fashion extravaganza at the Royal Albert Hall. Finale Spot.

Fashion Aid, Japan (Tokyo)- Finale spot.

Appearing with H.R.H. The Princess of Wales in the ITV documentary and book, ‘In Private, In Public’

150th Anniversary Celebration of the Royal College of Art Gala Fashion show- Finale Spot.

Designing Virgin Atlantic Airline’s uniforms for Richard Branson.

Having entry in ‘Who’s Who’.

Having worked as fashion student for H.M. The Queen’s Couturier, Sir Hardy Amies at Saville Row, London for two seasons.

Personal Details:
His son Oliver and daughter Eloise
Wales- its language, scenery and people
Long walks by the sea
Good conversation at private dinner parties
Reading biographies
Hedonism
Singing to a large audience
Writing articles on Style and Fashion
A large glass of champagne at the end of the day

Ambitions
To dress H.M. Queen Elizabeth II
To design a ‘drop-dead chic’ production of the opera Cossa Fan Tutte
To design for a ‘Gone with the Wind’ type of motion picture
To perform more concerts- more singing -
To return to Television, and a return to hosting following success in the US

please also see http://davidemanuel.com