“I’m continually inspired by nature, and the rainbow is one of nature’s greatest optical phenomenons. The sighting of a rainbow never fails to bring a smile to people’s faces. They signify optimism and positivity: with them comes the sunshine after the rain.”
― Matthew Williamson
“The peacock has become one of my regular sources of inspiration from nature.”
― Matthew Williamson
“I grew up in the dark ages, pre-digital, when everyone would wait for a magazine each month to see these models who became legendary and iconic, like Kate Moss.”
― Matthew Williamson
“I wanted to create a collection of leather handbags which would not only reflect the brand’s DNA but also appeal to a busy cosmopolitan woman.”
― Matthew Williamson
“It was a privilege to work with Ballantyne, an iconic brand possessing such a rich British heritage. Ballantyne has a great appreciation of style and craftsmanship which truly complements the Matthew Williamson brand.”
― Matthew Williamson
“In a digital age, I still love sending and receiving cards, hand-writing notes, and wrapping gifts.”
― Matthew Williamson
“Leather has a real durability and functionality.”
― Matthew Williamson
“I had a whistle-stop tour of Havana in a horse and carriage and couldn’t stop taking photographs of the decaying yet enchanting buildings and people.”
― Matthew Williamson
“I am shocked and deeply saddened by McQueen’s death. He was a genius, and his talent was second to none. Like many others, I always cited him as a hugely inspirational leader of world fashion. He will be greatly missed.”
― Matthew Williamson
“I’m curious about the mix of the effortless bohemian thing with the very modern.”
― Matthew Williamson
“I’ve been fascinated with interior design for as long as I can remember.”
― Matthew Williamson
“My clothes and my interiors are about making people smile.”
― Matthew Williamson
“I wanted to create a bridal collection that is both a natural extension of the mainline eveningwear but, at the same time, reflects the opulence of such an important celebratory event.”
― Matthew Williamson
“In England, it’s always raining, and I feel like I’m expert in that field.”
― Matthew Williamson
“As the label has developed over the years, more and more structure and tailored pieces have been added, and so, whilst the core values of the brand have remained, I feel it’s important to try new things and add more layers and dimensions to a collection every season.”
― Matthew Williamson
“It’s always better when travelling to be in a place where your friends know the area well.”
― Matthew Williamson
“My collections are full of adaptable pieces: within the energetic lifestyle of L.A., they are able to take you from the beach in Malibu to the red carpet in Hollywood.”
― Matthew Williamson
“London has a very specific kind of style; it’s very different to Milan, Paris, and New York. It’s nice having that personality that we haven’t lost. It’s the English quirky style that people like to see when they come to Fashion Week.”
― Matthew Williamson
“I’m not one to pat myself on my back, but I have had a career for 20 years, and if people are interested in how I did it or if I can give any advice, then that’s lovely.”
― Matthew Williamson
“I’ve always felt like a designer of lifestyle that has a certain spirit and bohemian quality.”
― Matthew Williamson
“I think the woman who buys my dress also wants a beautiful pillow.”
― Matthew Williamson
“Louise Wilson told me she wanted to see more of the 1997 show. And so I needed to reissue that.”
― Matthew Williamson
“Everything I’ve designed is intended not to match perfectly but to sit together in harmony, to add flair and personality to any room.”
― Matthew Williamson
“Developing a new designer colouring book with Laurence King has been a real passion project of mine.”
― Matthew Williamson
“Pucci was always my favorite brand when I was in college. It has a similar DNA as my label, both in the sexy, uplifting point of view and in the use of color and surface pattern.”
― Matthew Williamson
“I think there needs to be extremes in fashion, and Pucci offers another choice.”
― Matthew Williamson
“I think Galliano returning to London Fashion Week at some point would be hugely well received by the industry.”
― Matthew Williamson
“It’s just fantastic to have someone like the Duchess of Cambridge wear the brand. I think there are often misconceptions about who the brand is for, but it’s not just a 20-year-old blonde girl on the beach, and Kate is testament to that.”
― Matthew Williamson
“I love the fact that H&M has created a new phenomenon in fashion through the pioneering concept of collaborating with high-end designers to create one-off limited-edition capsule collections. I am thrilled that my creations for H&M will be accessible to – and hopefully enjoyed by – so many people around the world.”
― Matthew Williamson
“I always wanted to be a designer and always felt surprised as a child when my sister used to deliberate about whether to be a nurse or a teacher.”
― Matthew Williamson
“No woman can wear prints all the time.”
― Matthew Williamson
“Never shop alone for your bridal dress. Take a friend and bring a camera to take a picture of you. Make sure to get a picture of the back view: that’s the part of the dress most people are going to see for the longest time.”
― Matthew Williamson
“I’ve only dealt with fabulous brides!”
― Matthew Williamson
“I did candles because I wanted a candle to put in my home. I couldn’t find one I liked.”
― Matthew Williamson
“Debenhams has a strong track record for developing exclusive designer brands.”
― Matthew Williamson
“Madonna is untouchable. She is absolutely lovely. On a personal level, she’s everything you would expect. She’s so down to earth.”
― Matthew Williamson
“I’m an independent fashion house.”
― Matthew Williamson
“My parents knew there was no point in pushing the football thing. I hated the boots.”
― Matthew Williamson
“I got my fair share of stick. But I surrounded myself with fabulous girls, and they all loved me because I made them clothes. I remember making them all leopard print tops and tartan skirts for a party we went to once. It’s scary to think about it now, actually.”
― Matthew Williamson
“London Fashion Week has always been very special to me.”
― Matthew Williamson
“My design philosophy is to make women feel like peacocks.”
― Matthew Williamson
“I’m drawn to the way Havaianas capture playfulness and light-heartedness in their products – there is clearly an element of fun.”
― Matthew Williamson
“I guess I will always be known as a designer who references Ibiza, even though I’ve only been to the island a couple of times in my early twenties.”
― Matthew Williamson
“I love taking elements and colours from nature and then distorting them somehow.”
― Matthew Williamson
“I’ve been to most parts of India over the years, but Jaipur is my favourite city. Inspiration can be found at every turn.”
― Matthew Williamson
“I try to go to Marrakesh if there’s a Bank Holiday weekend.”
― Matthew Williamson
“I wanted to explore the Seventies idea of the ideal futuristic woman. So I watched cheesy films like ‘Weird Science’ and more dodgy things like ‘Star Trek,’ ‘Barbarella’ and ‘Logan’s Run.’”
― Matthew Williamson
“I wasn’t inspired by lunatic asylums or anything like that.”
― Matthew Williamson
“Of course I owe so much of my success to my parents.”
― Matthew Williamson
“Creating a bridalwear collection was a natural progression from my evening wear collections, which are well known for their softly draped and diaphanous silk gowns.”
― Matthew Williamson
“I approach any collaboration I do differently.”
― Matthew Williamson
“Confidence and belief in yourself and your vision is absolutely paramount. The fashion industry is tough – be prepared to take advice and criticism along the way, but have unwavering belief in your vision.”
― Matthew Williamson
“My womenswear line would translate well into childrenswear.”
― Matthew Williamson
“My mum has always been a huge inspiration for me and my work. She loves fashion and has always been so supportive.”
― Matthew Williamson
“You can’t deny the experience of a store. It’s fantastic if you’re a global brand and you’ve got the power or the funds to support that bricks-and-mortar space, but we certainly weren’t and aren’t.”
― Matthew Williamson
“We’re not waiting for the fashion cycle to have 180 buyers come in and see the collection and go, ‘We like it, we’ll buy it, and we’ll have it in June.’ The only one we’re selling to is Net-A-Porter, and the rest is through our site.”
― Matthew Williamson
“The last thing I want to appear is remotely jaded or bitter, which it could come across the wrong way.”
― Matthew Williamson
“We know what the customer wants, and so we’re buying in a totally different way.”
― Matthew Williamson
“I have always been clear about what I wanted to do and who I wanted to dress. However, you need that business sense to help direct your talent. Because at the end of the day, you are selling clothes, and that is the reality which we live in.”
― Matthew Williamson
“I’m a bit of a digital imbecile.”
― Matthew Williamson
“I don’t usually Skype. I’ve used it once, but my boyfriend had to leave instructions: ‘This is how you Skype me.’ We do it for the business, of course – we have the site and trade online – but, personally, I’m not passionate about it.”
― Matthew Williamson
“I’m a natural technophobe, but I can see the importance of the digital role, and you have to celebrate it – our site is obviously an incredibly important part of our business now.”
― Matthew Williamson
“A catwalk show is just how it’s done; it’s just what you do – it’s central to the presentation of a collection. It will be a very brave designer who gives up the catwalk entirely in favour of a digital show.”
― Matthew Williamson
“The V&A is an amazing museum, and the collections have always been a great inspiration to me.”
― Matthew Williamson
“People think of me and think, ‘Ibiza and hippy look.’ I’m trying to expand.”
― Matthew Williamson
“I wanted to start a menswear line of slim-fitting, luxury cashmere jumpers in a range of great colours.”
― Matthew Williamson
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