Matthew Williamson

-English fashion designer. 

-His collections often have an Indian influence (related to the time he spent working in India for the clothing store Monsoon)

-He counts celebrities such as Björk, Cat Deeley, Will Buckhurst, Sienna Miller, Kelis, Jade Jagger and Plum Sykes amongst his friends.

-Born in Chorlton-cum-Hardy, Manchester, England.

-Moved to London to attend school at Central Saint Martin's College of Art and Design, graduating in 1994.

Career

-Two years of work experience with Georgina Von Etzdorf, Marni and Monsoon. 

-Launched his own clothes label with business partner Joseph Velosa

 

- 2005, he launched his own perfume range. 

-2006, Williamson took over as creative director at Pucci

-2007, a runway show of his designs was incorporated into the video for Prince's song "Chelsea Rodgers" from his Planet Earth album. 

-2009, Williamson is cooperating with H&M. His collection for men and women, which launches on 23 April will include Williamson's first venture into the menwear market.

-In May 2009, Williamson launches his own online shop

-He made a guest appearance on season 7 of Project Runway.

-Graduating from Central St Martins in June 1994 with a BA in Fashion Design and Printed Textiles, his first job following graduation was a freelance design project with Marni. Matthew was then employed by British fashion company, Monsoon and Accessorize.

-The luxury fashion house, Matthew Williamson, was founded in February 1997 by designer, Matthew Williamson and CEO, Joseph Velosa.

-In February 2002, Matthew showed for the first time during New York Fashion Week expanding opportunities within the press and attracting a wider audience commercially.

-The award-winning Matthew Williamson flagship store first opened at 28 Bruton Street, Mayfair, London in March 2004.

-2005, Matthew Williamson took over as Creative Director at LVMH owned Italian house, Emilio Pucci, whilst continuing at the design helm of his namesake company. 

-Matthew Williamson won the Red CarpetDesigner of the Year at the 2008 British Fashion Awards; previously having been awarded Elle Designer of the Year in 2004 and the 2005 Moet and Chandon Fashion Tribute Award. 

-He has also been nominated 3 times for Designer of the Year at the British Fashion Awards.

-2009, Matthew Williamson opened its first US flagship store in New York, accompanied by a further stand alone retail store in the Dubai Mall, Dubai. This was closely followed by the launch of online stores for the UK, Europe and US.

-In October 2010 Matthew Williamson signed a new licensing deal with MBFG. The deal birthed a new, younger, diffusion line - Muse by Matthew Williamson. The new line is expected to be in stores for Fall 2011