'She had such style. Real style that you could recognize. I love her for her individuality, her way of seeing a woman.''
Jean Paul Gaultier
Strict attention to detail, technical excellence and a passion for the craft of dressmaking were integral to Jean Muirs design philospophy.
Described by the New York Times as 'One of the London's most influential and modern minimilists' she designed beautifully pared down, fluid shapes, using precision cutting.
Part of the British design revolution of the 1960’s and at the cutting edge of fashion for four decades she referred to her work as ‘engineering with cloth.’
A true style icon in every sense of the word and a stickler for detail, she was called Miss Muir by her staff. A tiny yet formidable figure, she dressed impeccably, always in navy, complete with trademark Louise Brooks style bob and damson lipstick.
Sadly she died from breast cancer in 1995 but her loyal staff continued to produce collections until 2007, when shortly after celebrating its 40th anniversary, Jean Muir Ltd closed.
Jean Muir: A Fashion Icon: the first exhibition of the designer’s life and work since her death, is on at the National Museum of Scotland until the 15th of March 2009.
