Famous British Fashion Designers
For nothing, UK is referred to as one of the fashion capitals of the world. It has been amongst the leading producers of world’s most influential fashion designers who have redefined the world of fashion with their innovative concept, tailor-made outfits and unique couture. Their extraordinary contributions have changed the face of British fashion considerably. Did you know that though Paris is the fashion capital of the world, world’s first ever couturier was a British? Charles Frederick Worth, born in England, served as the favoured designer in the courts of Napoleon III. Over the years, Britain has served as the base for numerous fashion designers who have wowed people with their interesting concepts and avant-garde styles. Be it Mary Quant’s cool and modern cutting-edge designs that were break-free from the traditional look or Vivienne Westwood’s punk fashion movement of the 70s, Alexander McQueen’s non-conformist creations or Hussein Chalayan’s experimental designs, British designers have time and again proved their worth on ramps and wardrobes. And then we have Christopher Bailey, the man behind Burberry’s magnanimous outburst in the world of fashion. When Bailey took the creative reigns of the company in 2001, little did anyone know of his plan! He transformed Burberry’ to become the most-sought after fashion brands. He modernized the designs but at the same time retained the quintessential British feel. Go through this section to know about famous British fashion designers, their life and career.
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1
Victoria Beckham(English Fashion Designer, Singer and Member of the Girl Group the ‘Spice Girls’)
Birthdate: April 17, 1974
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Essex, England, United Kingdom
An internationally recognized fashion designer and style icon, Victoria Beckham is widely regarded as one of the most powerful women in the UK. She was appointed an OBE for services to the fashion industry in the 2017 New Year Honours. Also a popular singer, she was part of the best-selling female group of all time, Spice Girls.
Birthdate: March 17, 1969
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Lewisham, London, United Kingdom
Died: February 11, 2010
Designer Alexander McQueen had won four British Designer of the Year awards and one CFDA International Designer of the Year award. He began his career designing for Givenchy and later formed his own label. The openly gay and HIV positive designer committed suicide in 2010, shortly after his mother’s death.
Birthdate: March 26, 1881
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Florence
Died: January 2, 1953
Son of an Italian leather-goods maker, Guccio Gucci was initially reluctant to join his family business and worked in hotels instead. Changing his mind later, he opened the first Gucci shop in Florence in 1921. The year of his death, 1953, saw the opening of the first Gucci store abroad.
Birthdate: September 13, 1971
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Lambeth
Fashion designer Stella McCartney is the daughter of Paul and Linda McCartney. An avid animal rights activist, she uses cruelty-free fabrics in her designs. She was the creative director for Britain at the 2012 and 2016 Olympics. She has also won honors such as the VH1/Vogue Designer of the Year.
Birthdate: April 8, 1941
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Tintwistle
British fashion designer, Dame Vivienne Westwood, is credited for bringing modern punk and new wave fashions into the mainstream. She attended a course on jewelry at the University of Westminster but left before graduating. She worked as a teacher for a while before turning to fashion designing. She eventually opened four boutiques in London.
6
Tan France(British-American Fashion Designer and Host of the Web Series ‘Dressing Funny’ and ‘Next In Fashion’)
Birthdate: April 20, 1983
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Doncaster, England, United Kingdom
British-Pakistani-American fashion designer Tanveer Wasim France, or Tan France, broke barriers by becoming one of the first openly gay South Asian and Muslim men on American TV. He soared to fame with shows such as Queer Eye, Dressing Funny, and Next In Fashion. He has also released a memoir.
7
Georgina Chapman(Fashion Designer, Actress and Co-Founder of the Fashion Label ‘Marchesa’)
Birthdate: April 14, 1976
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: London, England
Actor and designer Georgina Chapman co-founded the women’s fashion brand Marchesa, along with Keren Craig. Chapman was previously married to producer Harvey Weinstein but left him amidst multiple sexual abuse allegations against him in 2017. She has hosted shows such as Project Runway: All Stars and designed for red-carpet events.
Birthdate: February 11, 1934
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Blackheath, London, England
9
Sadie Frost
(Actress and Fashion Designer Who Ran the Fashion Label 'Frost French')
Birthdate: June 19, 1965
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: London, England
The daughter of psychedelic artist David Vaughan, Sadie Frost began her career with commercials at age 3. Her childhood was spent battling eating disorders. She later appeared in films such as Empire State and Bram Stoker's Dracula. She is also an award-winning designer, with her very own fashion label, Frost French.
10
Georgia May Jagger
(Fashion Model and Designer)
Birthdate: January 12, 1992
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: West End, London, England
Born to Rolling Stones singer Mick Jagger and supermodel Jerry Hall, Georgia May Jagger was no stranger to the entertainment world in childhood. Now a popular model in her own right, she has promoted many brands such as Hudson Jeans and Louis Vuitton. She has also ventured into designing.
11
Giles Deacon(British Fashion Designer, Creative Director and Founder of ‘Giles Deacon Group’)
Birthdate: 1969 AD
Birthplace: Darlington, England, United Kingdom
Though he initially aspired to be a marine biologist, Giles Deacon later joined an art course, as he failed his chemistry A-level. Now a reputed designer, he owns his own fashion house, with clients such as Pippa Middleton. He has also experimented with his designs, launching work-from-anywhere capsule collections.
Birthdate: February 8, 1964
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Marylebone, London, England
Fashion and makeover expert Trinny Woodall, founder of the makeup brand Trinny London, began her career as a marketing expert and then wrote fashion columns for The Daily Telegraph. She has co-hosted What Not to Wear with Susannah Constantine, has co-written several bestselling fashion books, and launched a sleepwear line.
Birthdate: April 7, 1970
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Wimbledon, London, England
Initially associated with indie bands such as Powder and Lodger, Pearl Lowe later launched her own self-titled textile and fashion brand. Her memoir, All That Glitters, talks about her destructive cocaine addiction, which earned her the nickname Dyson in her circle. She now works with the non-profit Action on Addiction.
14
Phoebe Philo
(Fashion designer)
Birthdate: January 1, 1973
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Paris, France
Birthdate: December 17, 1988
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Westminster
Birthdate: October 23, 1994
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: London, England
Ecco2K is a British-Swedish model, singer, designer, and director. He is best known for his innovative and experimental songwriting. Ecco2K is also a successful entrepreneur, having launched his own product line called g'LOSS.
17
Kelly Hoppen
(interior designer, author)
Birthdate: 1959
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Johannesburg
18
Lucy, Lady Duff-Gordon
(Fashion Designer and Widely Acknowledged Innovator in Couture Styles)
Birthdate: June 13, 1863
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: London, England
Died: April 20, 1935
Birthdate: September 19, 1940
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Chatham
20
Aisleyne Horgan-Wallace
(Model, Fashion designer, Actor, Columnist, Television presenter, Glamor model)
Birthdate: December 28, 1978
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: London
Birthdate: October 13, 1825
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Bourne
Died: March 10, 1895
22
Tamara Mellon
(Fashion designer)
Birthdate: July 7, 1967
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: London
Birthdate: July 30, 1991
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Accrington, Lancashire, England
24
Charlotte Ronson
(Fashion designer)
Birthdate: August 7, 1977
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: London, England, UK
25
Savannah Miller
(Fashion designer)
Birthdate: December 30, 1978
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: New York City, New York, United States
26
Sarah Burton
(Fashion designer)
Birthdate: January 1, 1974
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Macclesfield, England
27
Norman Hartnell
(Fashion designer)
Birthdate: June 12, 1901
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: London
Died: June 8, 1979
28
Jasper Conran
(Fashion designer)
Birthdate: December 12, 1959
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: London
29
Katharine Hamnett
(Fashion designer)
Birthdate: August 16, 1947
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Gravesend
30
Bella Freud
(Fashion designer)
Birthdate: April 17, 1961
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: London
Birthdate: February 28, 1967
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Muswell Hill
32
Carole Hersee
(Costume designer)
Birthdate: November 25, 1958
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Redhill
33
Sandy Powell
(costume designer)
Birthdate: April 7, 1960
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: London
34
Lady Melissa Percy
(English Fashion Designer and Former Professional Tennis Player)
Birthdate: May 20, 1987
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: United Kingdom
The daughter of British aristocrats Ralph Percy and Jane Richard, Lady Melissa Percy quit school at 14 to follow a career in tennis. After retiring at 21, she launched her fashion brand. She has grown up in the Alnwick Castle, which was featured as Hogwarts in the Harry Potter films.
35
Ossie Clark
(Fashion Designer)
Birthdate: June 9, 1942
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Warrington, England
Died: August 6, 1996
Birthdate: August 12, 1970
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Nicosia
37
Hardy Amies
(Fashion Designer)
Birthdate: July 17, 1909
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: London, England
Died: March 5, 2003
38
Gareth Pugh
(Fashion designer)
Birthdate: August 31, 1981
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Sunderland
39
Bruce Oldfield
(Fashion designer)
Birthdate: July 14, 1950
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: London
40
Edina Ronay
(Fashion designer)
Birthdate: January 8, 1943
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Budapest, Hungary
The daughter of renowned Hungarian food critic Egon Ronay, Edina Ronay started her career as an actor, with roles in series such as The Avengers and The Champions. Now a fashion designer, she has her own label. She is also known as the mother of English actor/writer Shebah Ronay.
41
Gerald Holtom
(Artist, Designer)
Birthdate: January 20, 1914
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Died: September 18, 1985
42
Jean Muir
(Fashion designer)
Birthdate: July 17, 1928
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: London, England
Died: May 28, 1995
43
Duro Olowu
(Nigerian-Born British Fashion Designer)
Birthplace: Lagos, Nigeria
Birthdate: September 17, 1941
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Cheshire, England
Died: November 26, 2007
45
Linda Bennett
(Fashion designer, Entrepreneur)
Birthdate: September 8, 1962
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: London
46
Pat McDonagh
(Fashion designer)
Birthdate: March 17, 1934
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Harpurhey, Manchester, England
Died: May 31, 2014
Birthdate: December 24, 1927
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Jerusalem, Israel
Died: July 24, 2000
48
Rina Lipa(British Model, Dancer and Sister of Singer Dua Lipa)
Birthdate: May 14, 2001
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: London, England
Rina Lipa is a British model and dancer. She is known as the sister of singer-songwriter Dua Lipa. Rina Lipa came into prominence in 2021, when she made her modeling debut at the GCDS Fall 2021 collection, which was part of the famous Milan Fashion Week. Prior to making her modeling debut, Lipa acted in commercials and took ballet lessons.
Birthdate: November 11, 1970
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Queen Charlotte's and Chelsea Hospital