Hilary Alexander explains why British designers are returning to show in London...
Following Luella Bartley’s decision to show her spring/summer 2008 collection at London Fashion Week this September, a second member of the Brit Fash Pack has signalled his intention to make a comeback on the capital’s catwalk.
Coming home: Williamson plans to return to show at LFW
Coming home: Williamson plans to return to show at LFW
Matthew Williamson, the prince of boho-chic, will bring his spring/summer 2008 collection to this next London Fashion Week to celebrate his 10th anniversary in fashion.
Williamson, 36, has achieved international fame and an impressive celebrity client list in a relatively short-time.
An ‘old boy’ of Central Saint Martins, he established his own designer brand soon after graduation and burst onto the LFW scene in September 1997 with his debut collection entitled ‘Electric Angels’.
It starred Kate Moss and Jade Jagger, among others, and was an instant hit.
As interest in his ethnic-chic signature grew, Williamson decided to spread his wings abroad and began showing at New York Fashion Week in 2002 . He quickly built up an A-list celebrity cast for his bold and bright use of colour and print, his eclectic and exotic embroidery and beading and his unashamed mix of the folksy and the fantastic.
His fans include Kylie Minogue, Gwyneth Paltrow, Scarlett Johanssen, Madonna, Sarah Jessica Parker, Kate Hudson (and her mother, Goldie Hawn), Sienna Miller, Helena Christiansen, Cat Deeley and Sadie Frost. Throughout his Big Apple tenure, however, Williamson retained his ties with London, opening his flagship store here in 2004, just along from another CSM ‘old girl’, Stella McCartney.
"London Fashion Week has always been very special to me in so many ways and I will never forget the energy, enthusiasm and spontaneity surrounding my debut show," he said. "I cannot think of a more perfect way of celebrating the Matthew Williamson 10 year anniversary."
Following on from London Fashion Week, the Design Museum London will run an exhibition focussing on the design and process of Williamson’s work and featuring his most memorable pieces of the past decade.
Apart from his own label, Williamson is also creative director of Emilio Pucci, the jetset Florentine fashion house, and, in addition, designs a high street collection, ‘Butterfly’, for the Designers at Debenhams range.
Williamson has always displayed a determination and passion to succeed. From the outset, he established his label in conjunction with a business partner, Joseph Velosa, who mapped out a controlled and confident growth plan for the fledgling brand.
The pair built up a thriving label by themselves and only in September 2006 decided to invite outside investment.
The Icelandic fashion group, Baugur, which also has an interest in Whistles, House of Fraser, Oasis and Jane Norman, acquired a 34% stake, leaving the remainder in the hands of Williamson, as president, and Velosa as chief executive officer. Expansion plans for the brand continue.
The second flagship store will open in New York early next year - a time which will also see Williamson’s return to New York Fashion Week.
Source: telegraph.co.uk
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