New Yorker Ben de Lisi, who is renowned for his red carpet gowns worn by A-list celebrities such as Kate Winslet, will be scrutinizing the talents of youngsters taking part in a competition orchestrated by a Harrogate-based property company.

Avenir Properties, which recently acquired the former Littlemoor School site in Rawdon, is asking the children to put their design capabilities to the test by drawing houses, gardens, eco-friendly homes and luxurious bedrooms.

To make competition even more exciting not only will Ben – who is the creative talent behind the apartments and town houses being built on the old school site – be the main judge, the 12 winning designs are to be turned into a charity calendar.

They will also be used to decorate the hoardings around the construction site and give queuing motorists something to look.
 
Ben said: “I’m flattered to have been asked to judge this competition and I will be looking for something unusual and inspiring, where imagination really jumps off the page.

“I’m excited to see how school children interpret their ideas through design, but I’m not looking forward to decision time, I’m sure its going to be a very tough job picking the winners.”

Avenir Properties sales manager Amanda Brayshaw said: “To make the competition fair, there will be four different categories for different age groups, with three winners from each receiving prizes.

Littlemoor School head Shelagh Henderson said: “We have built up an excellent relationship with Avenir Properties. Having an international fashion designer judge the children’s work is just thrilling for them.”

Ben de Lisi and Avenir Properties have built a unique partnership and have recently created their own designer brand Space By Ben de Lisi.

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For Further Information, please contact:
Amanda Brayshaw, Avenir Properties, on 01423 526 628
David Simister/Richard Chew, Different PR, on 0845 389 26 26