UNITED KINGDOM: British designer Matthew Williamson unveils his exclusive collection for Canon's 'We Speak Image' campaign

Record ID: 1532482

  • Title: UNITED KINGDOM: British designer Matthew Williamson unveils his exclusive collection for Canon's 'We Speak Image' campaign
  • Date: 16th September 2007
  • Summary: (SOUNDBITE) (English) MATTHEW WILLIAMSON, BRITISH FASHION DESIGNER, SAYING "This week I celebrate my ten years in the industry so this is my 20th collection that I'll be doing and we just felt that it was appropriate to be in the city that we live in and work in , this is where we had our very first show ten years ago so kind of a nice moment to come back."
  • Embargoed: 2nd October 2007 11:50
  • Keywords:
  • Location: United Kingdom
  • Country: United Kingdom
  • Topics: Arts / Culture / Entertainment
  • Reuters ID: LVA7NOJOLLIA4DD5HN6SRNHXGNKQ
  • Aspect Ratio: 4:3
  • Story Text: London Fashion Week kicks off on Saturday (September 15) with Irish designer Paul Costelloe. Just a few days before on Tuesday (September 11) leading British designer Matthew Williamson unveiled a unique fashion collection in cooperation with Canon, the main sponsors of London Fashion Week. The 'We Speak Image' fashion collection was inspired by images taken by members of the public across UK and Ireland and seeks to capture the 'essence' of the nation.
    Williamson explained how he looked through all of the images sent in and filtered those out that immediately caught his eye: "So it became clear there were two individual themes, on the one hand lots of images, that were quite naturalistic and quite centred around the landscape of the country. Then in sharp contrast to that there was very technologically advanced images with amazing neon lights, very toxic images."
    Williamson who normally shows his collections at New York Fashion Week, celebrates a decade in the notoriously fickle business with a return to the London catwalk saying he felt is was an appropriate choice to do so.
    "This week I celebrate my ten years in the industry so this is my 20th collection that I'll be doing and we just felt that it was appropriate to be in the city that we live in and work in , this is where we had our very first show ten years ago so kind of a nice moment to come back."
    London Fashion Week, along with Paris, Milan, and New York is a bi-annual event attracting a number of celebrities and well-known designers. Last year, Italian designer Giorgio Armani attended London for the first time.
    "I think each city is known for certain things. I think you go to Paris for couture and for experimental and avant-garde fashion, you go to Milan and New York for quality and big brands, and I think you come to London chiefly to find new talent and look for the undiscovered next big thing and I think that's what we should celebrate, that's what it's known for and that's no bad thing." said Williamson This year, there will be a special guest in London - editor of U.S.
    Vogue fashion magazine Ana Wintour is scheduled to attend a Cartier party and her presence will no doubt be watched by fashionistas. Asked whether Wintour's presence had a special meaning for London Fashion Show, Williamson said, "I think it's great that she (Ana Wintour, editor of U.S. Vogue) is coming, it sort of puts London on the map again this season, it's sort of a cyclical fashion and I think there are seasons when cities are less important than in other seasons and it does feel that there is a bit more energy this season. There's myself here, there's Luella Bartley, Stella McCartney is showing, there's parties and certain events that are happening so I think it is definitely on the up once again, as it was ten years ago when I started so it's kind of full circle."
    Williamson was born in Chorlton, Manchester on October 23rd, 1971. He grew up and studied there until the age of 17, when he was offered a place on the degree course at London's Central St Martins where he graduated in 1994.
    His achievements in the fashion industry have been recognized consistently: Matthew Williamson won Elle designer of the year 2004 was awarded the 2005 Moet & Chandon fashion tribute and has received numerous nominations. He has also been nominated three times as designer of the year at the British fashion awards. Whilst continuing at the design helm of his namesake company, in 2005 Matthew took over as the Creative Director at Emilio Pucci, the luxury Italian fashion house. 2007 marks the 10 year anniversary for Matthew Williamson, since the debut "Electric Angels" show back in September 1997.
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