In a career spanning over 40 years, the American-born British designer has created womenswear, home furnishings and interiors. He lives between Ibiza and London with his partner, Gerardo Vidaurre.

What are your earliest memories of Ibiza and how did you end up living on the island?
My earliest memory was that I had always looked at Ibiza with great trepidation because I was a <a href="https://www.cntraveller.com/gallery/best-hotels-in-mykonos" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Mykonos</a> boy! Thirteen years ago, I was invited by the interior designer <a href="https://www.kellyhoppeninteriors.com/">Kelly Hoppen</a> to come stay at a house that she had rented in the Morna Valley. I was blown away by how beautiful the island was. It was a very privileged trip because I was going to lovely house parties and going to Aura and dancing, but it wasn't over the top. And my clubbing days were long gone because I had partied at Studio 54, so nothing else compared to that!

Where is home on the island and why?&nbsp;
Near San Miguel. Once I knew that my partner Gerardo also loved Ibiza, we asked our dear friend <a href="https://www.instagram.com/marcelaibiza/?hl=en">Marcela [Lopez-Holden]</a> to show us some properties. We saw so many, and then she said to me, 'Look Ben, I'm going to show you a property which is in the north, near San Miguel on the way to <a href="https://preview.lofficielibiza.com/ibiza/four-fabulous-places-to-pick-up-beach-picnic-in-ibiza-this-weekend" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Benirr&aacute;s</a>, which is a very desirable area. But you have to use your imagination because all the other properties that I've shown you, I can show you ten more like them. But this, this one, I can't. So just have imagination'. And I saw it, and there was something very calming and spiritual about the property itself. It was at the base of a hill, but still quite elevated and it was tucked away in a pine wood. It's totally private and not overlooked, but if I need bread, I&rsquo;m in my lovely village of San Miguel in three minutes. We made an offer that day.
North or south? City or campo?
I was always drawn to the north because that's where my Ibiza experience started, but I also need this expanse of green and this solitude. I'm a New York boy. I was born in Brooklyn, raised in Long Island and then I worked in Manhattan when I started my career. Later I moved to London. My life has been frenetic. I&rsquo;m 67 years old now and I want peace. I can happily go for two weeks in Ibiza without speaking to anybody except Gerardo.

Sunrise or sunset?&nbsp;
I'm a sunset person. I like to sleep late. And the older I get, the more comfortable I am in my bed, which is my sanctuary. I go to bed late and I sleep late. I've worked long and hard to be able to have that luxury.
What is your favourite place to eat and why?
My local Italian restaurant, <a href="https://www.lunanellorto.com/en/">La Luna Nell&rsquo;Orto</a>, is my favourite place to eat on the planet. I always have the pumpkin ravioli. It&rsquo;s next door to my house and to sit out among the fig trees with staff who feel like family is such a joy. <a href="https://palomaibiza.com/">La Paloma</a> comes a close second.
Where can we find the real Ibiza?
In wintertime on a Sunday when the sun is bright, you're wearing a sweater and shorts and you're walking on the beach. And you run into friends walking their dogs, so you stop and have a little lunch in the sun at a chiringuito.

Ben de Lisi at Benirrás

What is your favourite beach and chiringuito and why?
My favourite beach would be my local, Benirr&aacute;s. But my favourite chiringuito is <a href="https://www.instagram.com/chiringayibizaofficial/?hl=en" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Chiringay</a>, on Es Cavallet.&nbsp; The entrance to the water is phenomenal and you meet lots of wonderful people there. It's quite a walk, but I like that. I rarely go to the very busy beaches.
Describe the magic of Ibiza to someone who has never been?
It&rsquo;s the light, the acceptance, the camaraderie, the freedom. The sense of kindness. In my village, I feel like I'm just another son of that village. I am friends with the owner of the grocery store, the butcher, my pharmacist. I bake cookies for them at Christmas. There&rsquo;s a sense of being enveloped by Ibiza.
What is a lesson that Ibiza has taught you?
To be gracious. When I first bought my house, a friend told me that island either accepts you into their fold or pushes you away. And I think the reason why the island accepts me is that I know that I'm a guest here. I'm a guest and I treat the locals with the utmost respect. You cannot walk around with a sense of entitlement. You must pay homage to the locals and remember your place. I am deeply grateful to have been given the opportunity to make a home here.

Run me through your ultimate day and night?
Get up, tidy the house, water the garden with Gerardo. Go down to our big vegetable garden and harvest whatever is ready for eating. Go to my local store, buy food and cook a fantastic lunch. We'll probably do some stretching exercises around the pool and fall asleep in the sun on the sofa. I might pop into <a href="https://www.instagram.com/monchateauenespagne.ibiza/?hl=en" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Mon Chateau d&rsquo;Espagne</a> to see if there are any new pieces that I want to buy from Isabelle. Then come home and watch Netflix or have supper with friends. And be in bed by 11.30.&nbsp;
Who&rsquo;s on your ultimate Ibiza dinner party guestlist?
Definitely my close friends in the north. I love John and Katie Fulton. I love Annie Lever who makes my life so easy because she manages my house and is a dear friend. The shoe designer <a href="https://www.instagram.com/thepatrickcox/?hl=en">Patrick Cox</a> of course. The stylist and film producer Kelly Cooper Barr and her husband Stuey. And I also have a group of very close friends who keep clothes at Villa Ella - it's like their home too. People like Rachel and Paul Williams, who have American Classics on London's Newburgh Street. They&rsquo;re always here.&nbsp;
What is your island soundtrack?
My music is all disco from when I grew up! And then sometimes I get kind of folksy and listen to Jim Croce and Carole King.

What or where is your favourite indulgence in Ibiza?
It's always food shopping. I'll go early in the morning and to San Miguel and buy ALL the lamb chops and then I&rsquo;ll marinade them and prepare a feast. I love to cook and to bring everybody together. That's absolutely my biggest indulgence.
What from Ibiza do you miss most when you travel?
Our home, Villa Ella. It is named after our first French bulldog.
What is your favourite island drive?
From Santa Gertrudis to San Miguel when I spot the church.&nbsp; Once I spot the church I get all giddy and excited and it never wears off. When I drive up the road into Ella, I still get butterflies thinking 'this was never supposed to happen to a kid from Long Island'! It was never on the cards that I was going to have a beautiful home on an island like Ibiza. I still get very emotional about that.

Ben's partner Gerardo Vidaurre at Las Puertas del Cielo

What do only locals know?
Don&rsquo;t go to Benirr&aacute;s on Sundays because the crowds and the noise will drive you crazy.&nbsp;
Best tip for a new visitor?
There are hidden walks and hidden gems all around. Go to see the almond blossom in Santa Agnes in spring and walk out to Las Puertas del Cielo. Or rent a little boat and see the island from the sea, because there is so much that can&rsquo;t be seen from the land.
If I wasn&rsquo;t in Ibiza, I&rsquo;d be&hellip;.
In my beautiful home in Battersea, London. It&rsquo;s three-story townhouse with&nbsp;a south facing garden and it's full of everything that I've collected over the years so it&rsquo;s very inspiring. It's the perfect balance to my home in Ibiza.
Sum up your Ibiza life in three words.
Grateful. Joyous. Free.

20 questions with an Ibiza insider: Ben de Lisi

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