Photos from Richard Nott
Back in the days, I once went to a fashion show that made my heart lurch, the hair on the back of my neck stand on end and my credit card faint with panic. It was a Workers For Freedom show, in the season when the designers, Graham Fraser and Richard Nott, won the Designer of the Year award (1990). I was working for Liberty in London and the buyer (the best department store fashion buyer EVER) Angela Quaintrell knew the boys well and was a champion of their work. She took me to the show, which featured Yasmin Le Bon and Naomi Campbell and we both agreed that it was a ‘fashion moment’. It was ironic, but we also knew that the boys were completely broke at the time and despite winning the award and being much lauded, they struggled to make the business pay.
I still have two creamy thick silk shirts with appliqued flowers and engraved buttons and a chocolate brown velvet embroidered scarf, bought from that time which I wear regularly. These clothes are older than my children but still look fabulous. The pair sold the business in the late 90s and went off to do other things.
Richard became a painter, rather than a maker, of dresses and recently came to our attention via the lifestyle boutique I Gigi in Hove, Sussex, TWR readers Barbara sent us the link to the gorgeous looking store (which we will check out as soon as we can, it looks lovely) which was exhibiting Richard’s work. He paints dresses and kimonos, among other things and they are full of atmosphere. You can just tell he loves a frock and knows his way around one with a pair of scissors as well as a paint brush. Sadly the exhibition has now finished, but you can check out Richard Nott’s website where you can look at the rest of his beautiful work. We love them, but we also wish he was still making clothes.
Beautiful dresses ….
Btw I can highly recommend Igigi in Hove- one of my favourite shops in Brighton. There is a boutique and a separate homestore a few doors away ( modern French country style I would say) . The homestore has a fantastic little cafe above it for lunch , coffee and cakes as well .Service is exemplary .
The boutique has a great range of clothes, accessories and really interesting jewellery… I would love to see a feature on them. I usually end up buying myself a little gift so have to regulate my visits now.
I think I have a lot in common with one of you judging from the posts, St Martins etc!
Angela Quaintrell is also my all time retail queen. I worked at Harvey Nicholls for years throughout my college years and she was my boss. She was so supportive and lovely. Then I came across her again at Liberty when I was selling my own lingerie there back in the early 90’s, she remembered me and was again very helpful. I wonder what she is up to now?