Bruce Oldfield

Bruce Oldfield, OBE (born 14 July 1950) is a British fashion designer, best known for his couture occasionwear. Notable clients have included Sienna Miller, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Diana Ross, Charlotte Rampling, Jerry Hall, Joan Collins, Diana, Princess of Wales, Queen Noor of Jordan, Queen Camilla, the Duchess of Edinburgh and Queen Rania of Jordan.

Bruce Oldfield

OBE
Oldfield appearing on TV series After Dark in 1988
Born (1950-07-14) 14 July 1950
OccupationFashion designer
WebsiteOfficial website
Bruce Oldfield store, Beauchamp Place, London (2016)

Early life

Oldfield was brought up and educated in the care of children's charity, Barnardo's (his father, whom he never knew, had migrated to Britain from Jamaica).[1] Between the ages of 1 and 13, Oldfield was placed in foster care where he was brought up by a seamstress who sparked his love for designing and making clothes.[2][3]

In 1963, age the age of 13, Oldfield moved to West Mount, a Dr Barnardo's Children's Home, in Ripon. Four years later, Oldfield moved out of West Mount and lodged with a couple in Harrogate.[4]

In 1961, Oldfield passed the 11-plus and began to attend Spennymoor Grammar School. [5] He was later educated at Ripon Grammar School, Sheffield City College of Education (now Sheffield Hallam University), and Ravensbourne College in London.[6][7]

In 1973, he graduated from St. Martin's School of Art, London, to critical acclaim. That year he staged his first one-man show for Henri Bendel, later returning to London to show his first collection.

Career

In 1975 the Bruce Oldfield label was born with the launch of ready-to-wear collections for European and American stores. He began making couture clothes in 1978 for individual clients and from 1980 for Diana, Princess of Wales. In 1984 he opened his first shop selling ready-to-wear and couture to an international clientele. During the 1980s, he also designed shoes for couture house Rayne.[8]

In 2009 he opened a second premises in Beauchamp Place dedicated to weddings, incorporating wedding dresses, veils, and a full range of bridal accessories.

In 1990, Oldfield was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for services to the fashion industry; and in 2004 his autobiography Rootless was published. He has Honorary Fellowships to the Royal College of Art and the Universities of Durham and Sheffield, was Governor of The London Institute (1999–2001) and Trustee of the Royal Academy of Arts (2000–02).

In December 2001, Oldfield received an Honorary Doctorate of Civil Law (Hon DCL) from the University of Northumbria in Newcastle upon Tyne, and in 2005 an Honorary Doctorate from the University of Central England. He is also a Vice-President of Barnardo's.

In 2005 it was reported that Oldfield was a supporter of the Conservative Party.[9]

In April 2013, Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall wore a pale powder-blue Bruce Oldfield dress to the inauguration ceremony for King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands.

In 2023, Oldfield was chosen by Queen Camilla to design her coronation gown. [10]

References
  1. "London Diary", The Daily Gleaner, 17 July 1982, p. 3.
  2. Oldfield, Bruce; Blake, Fanny (2004). Rootless: An Autobiography. London: Arrow Books. pp. 7, 43.
  3. "About". Bruce Oldfield. Retrieved 21 February 2020.
  4. Oldfield, Bruce; Blake, Fanny (2004). Rootless: An Autobiography. London: Arrow Books. pp. 44, 79–89.
  5. Oldfield, Bruce; Blake, Fanny (2004). Rootless: An Autobiography. London: Arrow Books. pp. 41–42.
  6. "Ravensbourne". The Independent. 9 August 2013. Retrieved 21 February 2020.
  7. "Fashion: Bruce Oldfield interview". www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk. Retrieved 21 February 2020.
  8. "An Afternoon with Rayne Shoes". ftmlondon.org. Fashion and Textile Museum. Archived from the original on 12 June 2015. Retrieved 1 June 2015.
  9. Matthews, Jenny (21 April 2005). "Who's backing whom at the election?". BBC News. Retrieved 19 November 2015.
  10. "A Dress Fit for a Queen". The Cut. 8 May 2023. Retrieved 22 May 2023.
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