Amanda Wakeley

Amanda Jane Wakeley OBE (born 15 September 1962)[1] is a British fashion designer best known for her evening and cocktail dresses and accessories, and for her “clean glam” signature style,[2] has also developed a presence in daywear, including day-dresses, tailoring and knitwear and a line of accessories and jewellery. Sposa is the brand's bridal collection.[3] Wakeley is an advocate for international organisation Women for Women.

Early life

Wakeley is the daughter of Sir John Wakeley, 2nd Baronet (1926–2012), a prominent surgeon and former chief inspector for the City of London Special Constabulary, and his wife June, a physiotherapist.[4]

Wakeley grew up in Cheshire,[4] and was educated at Cheltenham Ladies College.[5]

Career

Following a spell as a fashion model in New York in the 1980s, Wakeley launched her signature line in 1990, opening a small studio and boutique in Chelsea, London,[5] with a £20,000 loan from her father.[4]

Patronage from Princess Diana solidified her success. Since 2009, she has built her brand and business, with substantial financial investment from AGC Equity Partners, a private equity firm based in London, in 2012.[5]

Stores

Wakeley's flagship store was located in Albemarle Street, Mayfair, London. Besides the UK, where Wakeley had concessions at Harvey Nichols throughout the country and at other leading retailers, the brand was available in more than 50 fashion and luxury retailers throughout Europe, America and the Middle East.

In September 2016, Wakeley launched an accessories brand on UK shopping channel QVC. The range, Monogram Collection, is mostly leather bags, with some smaller items such as purses and card holders.[6]

The company went into administration in 2021 following the COVID-19 pandemic.[7]

Personal

Her first marriage was to "a much older investment banker".[4] Aged 26, she married Neil Gillon, an Australian-born property developer, but they split in 1998, and since 2005 she has been in a relationship with businessman Hugh Morrison, with whom she bought back her label for £1 million in 2009.[4][8]

Wakeley was appointed an OBE in 2010 for her services to the fashion industry, and is also the winner of numerous awards, including three British Fashion Awards. Since 1996, she has co-chaired the committee for the Fashion Targets Breast Cancer appeal leading the efforts to raise substantial funds to support the charity.[2]

References
  1. "Birthdays". The Guardian. Guardian News & Media. 15 September 2014. p. 35.
  2. "Amanda Wakeley". e-commerce by Diligent. 2014. Retrieved 15 September 2014.
  3. "Sposa collection". e-commerce by Diligent. 2014. Archived from the original on 28 July 2014. Retrieved 15 September 2014.
  4. "Comeback queen: Amanda Wakeley | London Evening Standard". Standard.co.uk. 22 September 2009. Retrieved 12 December 2016.
  5. "Amanda Wakeley Spring/Summer 16". Cerno Capital. 15 March 2016. Retrieved 12 December 2016.
  6. Carmichael, Nicole (11 September 2016). "Designer Amanda Wakeley: I was always curious about how to craft something". express.co.uk. Retrieved 14 November 2017.
  7. Elan, Priya (14 May 2021). "Amanda Wakeley fashion label falls into administration". The Guardian. Retrieved 15 October 2022.
  8. Butler, Sarah (22 December 2012). "Sunday Interview: Amanda Wakeley: 'There is still money in the luxury sector'". Telegraph. Retrieved 12 December 2016.
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