British Heritage
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Amanda Wakeley - "Clean-Glam" Fashion
The Pinnacle of British 'Clean-Glam' Fashion.
Amanda Wakeley, born on 15 September 1962, has emerged as a significant figure in the British fashion industry and a proud contributor to the country's rich cultural heritage. Known for her unique "clean-glam" aesthetic, Wakeley's designs encapsulate the epitome of refined elegance and luxurious simplicity, combining femininity with practicality to resonate with women around the world. Through her brand's expanding range of offerings, from evening and cocktail dresses to day-dresses, tailoring, knitwear, and even bridal collections, Wakeley's influence has transcended the boundaries of traditional fashion, providing women with timeless pieces that carry them seamlessly from day to night.
Wakeley is the offspring of an illustrious lineage, born to Sir John Wakeley, a renowned surgeon and former chief inspector for the City of London Special Constabulary, and his wife June, a skilled physiotherapist. Raised in the countryside of Cheshire, and educated at the prestigious Cheltenham Ladies College, Wakeley displayed a natural flair for fashion from an early age.
Her first step into the fashion world took place in New York in the 1980s, where she began as a fashion model. This stint in one of the world's fashion capitals ignited in Wakeley a passion for design, eventually leading her to create her signature line in 1990. Using a loan from her father, she opened a small studio and boutique in Chelsea, London, marking the humble beginnings of a brand that would soon become synonymous with luxury and style.
Wakeley's career as a designer gained significant momentum when she found a patron in Diana, Princess of Wales. The Princess' preference for Wakeley's designs gave her brand international visibility and credibility, cementing her status in the high fashion world.
Since then, Wakeley's brand has grown in leaps and bounds, carving out a niche in the luxury fashion segment. In 2012, her business received a substantial financial investment from AGC Equity Partners, a private equity firm based in London, propelling the brand to new heights.
Her flagship store graces the high-fashion street of Albemarle in Mayfair, London, a testament to the brand's success. Beyond the UK, where Wakeley's designs are available at premier retailers like Harvey Nichols, the brand has an international presence, with a footprint in over 50 luxury retailers spanning Europe, America, and the Middle East.
In 2016, Wakeley expanded her repertoire, launching the Monogram Collection of leather bags and smaller items such as purses and card holders on the UK shopping channel QVC.
Wakeley's contribution extends beyond fashion; she has used her platform to advocate for social causes. She has shown unwavering support for the international organisation Women for Women, reflecting her commitment to empowerment and equality.
Wakeley's stellar contributions to the fashion industry have earned her multiple accolades. In 2010, she was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for her services to fashion. Furthermore, she is a three-time recipient of the coveted British Fashion Awards. Since 1996, she has co-chaired the committee for the Fashion Targets Breast Cancer appeal, dedicating her efforts to raise substantial funds to support the charity.
Despite her public success, Wakeley has navigated personal ups and downs with grace. Her first marriage was to an investment banker significantly older than her. At 26, she married Neil Gillon, an Australian property developer, but the couple split in 1998. Since 2005, Wakeley has been in a relationship with businessman Hugh Morrison, and together they bought back her label for £1 million in 2009.
In conclusion, Amanda Wakeley's immense contribution to British heritage extends far beyond her "clean-glam" designs. Through her passion for fashion, commitment to social causes, and the resilience she exhibits in her personal life, Wakeley is a shining beacon of modern British fashion, proving that style and substance can indeed coexist.
Her Early Life and Entry into Fashion
Wakeley is the offspring of an illustrious lineage, born to Sir John Wakeley, a renowned surgeon and former chief inspector for the City of London Special Constabulary, and his wife June, a skilled physiotherapist. Raised in the countryside of Cheshire, and educated at the prestigious Cheltenham Ladies College, Wakeley displayed a natural flair for fashion from an early age.
Her first step into the fashion world took place in New York in the 1980s, where she began as a fashion model. This stint in one of the world's fashion capitals ignited in Wakeley a passion for design, eventually leading her to create her signature line in 1990. Using a loan from her father, she opened a small studio and boutique in Chelsea, London, marking the humble beginnings of a brand that would soon become synonymous with luxury and style.
Rise to Prominence: From Royals to Runways
Wakeley's career as a designer gained significant momentum when she found a patron in Diana, Princess of Wales. The Princess' preference for Wakeley's designs gave her brand international visibility and credibility, cementing her status in the high fashion world.
Since then, Wakeley's brand has grown in leaps and bounds, carving out a niche in the luxury fashion segment. In 2012, her business received a substantial financial investment from AGC Equity Partners, a private equity firm based in London, propelling the brand to new heights.
Her flagship store graces the high-fashion street of Albemarle in Mayfair, London, a testament to the brand's success. Beyond the UK, where Wakeley's designs are available at premier retailers like Harvey Nichols, the brand has an international presence, with a footprint in over 50 luxury retailers spanning Europe, America, and the Middle East.
In 2016, Wakeley expanded her repertoire, launching the Monogram Collection of leather bags and smaller items such as purses and card holders on the UK shopping channel QVC.
A Commitment to Social Causes and Recognition
Wakeley's contribution extends beyond fashion; she has used her platform to advocate for social causes. She has shown unwavering support for the international organisation Women for Women, reflecting her commitment to empowerment and equality.
Wakeley's stellar contributions to the fashion industry have earned her multiple accolades. In 2010, she was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for her services to fashion. Furthermore, she is a three-time recipient of the coveted British Fashion Awards. Since 1996, she has co-chaired the committee for the Fashion Targets Breast Cancer appeal, dedicating her efforts to raise substantial funds to support the charity.
Personal Life
Despite her public success, Wakeley has navigated personal ups and downs with grace. Her first marriage was to an investment banker significantly older than her. At 26, she married Neil Gillon, an Australian property developer, but the couple split in 1998. Since 2005, Wakeley has been in a relationship with businessman Hugh Morrison, and together they bought back her label for £1 million in 2009.
In conclusion, Amanda Wakeley's immense contribution to British heritage extends far beyond her "clean-glam" designs. Through her passion for fashion, commitment to social causes, and the resilience she exhibits in her personal life, Wakeley is a shining beacon of modern British fashion, proving that style and substance can indeed coexist.
- Amanda Wakeleyen.wikipedia.org
