Cat Deeley Talks QVC & SYTYCD Style

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Photo: John Sciulli/Berliner Studio/BEImages

So You Think You Can Dance host Cat Deeley's wardrobe is as inspiring as the contestants' moves, so it's no wonder the self-styled TV star has branched out to design. Her line of jewelry, Cat Deeley Vintage, which launches a new collection on June 18th on QVC, puts a modern spin on antique pieces. We chatted with the British beauty, who gave us an exclusive sneak peek at two pieces from the line and dished on what she'll be wearing when the Fox show premieres on May 27.

InStyle.com: What made you decide to design jewelry?

Cat Deeley: People would always ask, "Where'd you get that?" when I wore things. Most people don't have the time or inclination to go to vintage stores and look through things. Lots of people find it scary—it's time-consuming and it's nice that I do the leg work for them and make it all work.

InStyle.com: You travel around the country for the show's auditions. Does that influence your designs in any way?

Deeley: I tend to pick up things when I'm traveling around the U.S. The first day is always a half-day, so in the afternoon I run off and go to all the vintage stores. The first necklace [in the collection] I found in Salt Lake City. It was twinkly and crystal. It was when Twilight first came out so I loved that it looked like little drops of blood on your neck.

InStyle.com: Tell us about the new pieces in the collection.

Deeley: What I was after were real statement pieces that you can wear with jeans, a rock T-shirt and jacket, or that my mom can wear with a smoking suit or LBD. The [original vintage] earrings were huge and heavy, so we made them out of lighter material and we made the clasp safer. They're great pieces to keep in your office drawer and just throw on if you're going out after work. I love to load on the bracelets. They're big, chunky, and '70s-inspired.

InStyle.com: What can we expect from your wardrobe on So You Think You Can Dance's 7th season?

Deeley: I'm going to mix in a lot of vintage clothes. I love High Street because it's really important that you wear things that come from Topshop or Zara and any of the girls can go out and buy and wear too. There might also be a little bit of Jean Paul Gaultier and Lanvin. I love Alber Elbaz. [His designs] all flow in the right places and the color always works really well. The Lanvin dress I'm going to wear has a nude, calico underslip. On top there's a mix of coral and red layers of tulle that's like a fandango cacophony of draping. It's really girlie and I'm not typically girlie. But I really want to wear it. I've got this gorgeous canary yellow, '60s long sleeve minidress with weaving across the chest. I think it probably will make it on the show.

InStyle.com: Have you thought about designing clothing?

Deeley: Perhaps. But it would be along a similar vibe—vintage-inspired. Something that's very useful and modern and very fresh. I don't want women to turn around and think vintage isn't for me, that it's old and boring.

InStyle.com: Would you ever consider designing full-time?

Deeley: I love my job. As long as I can do both, I'd be a happy bunny.

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