Amanda Wakeley

Designer name: Amanda Wakeley

Origin: London, England

Design background: Amanda is self-taught, “I made clothes from the moment I grew tall enough to reach the foot of the sewing machine”, she comments. She worked in America for an influential New York designer and retailer, whilst keeping up her own designs on the side. She soon gained the confidence to launch her brand, Amanda Wakeley.

What is your signature style? “Day dressing is luxe sportif, evening is contemporary glamour, always with a luxurious use of fabrics, perfection of cut and attention to craftsmanship. The look is calculatedly understated but alluring.”

How would you describe the Amanda Wakeley woman? “She is ageless - she has an attitude to dressing rather than a specific age. She wears the clothes because they are sexy yet not overt; they are body enhancing yet comfortable; they are relevant yet appropriate to her lifestyle. She has an enviable ease."

What is inspiring you for autumn/winter 2010: “Capturing the visual impact of the works of J.W Waterhouse and the use of richly coloured and seductive canvases….a palette of charcoals to pebbles, contrasted with rich pansy, ruby, kimono, powder, nude and midnight. Luxurious layers, weights and textures of grey marl play with silhouette and proportion….contrasting structured looser shapes with draped layers and contoured, seamed structure.”

What encapsulates fashionable London for you? “The people on the street never cease to inspire me… There is vibrancy, freedom and individuality about the style of Londoners that I love.”

What do you hope the new decade will mean for your brand? “There is such a feeling of confidence and momentum surrounding the brand so I know that we will continue to move forward as a stronger, more focused and more unified brand than ever before.”

How does London influence your designs? “I love the unpredictability of the weather and the seasons here in London, and seeing how the style of my fellow Londoners change with them is always both inspiring and surprising.
I treasure my visits to the Tate Modern. I adore the scale and the diversity of works on show there.
Walks in Kensington Park with my dog early in the morning where I find time to gather my thoughts and to reflect are always energising and inspiring.
Also, unearthing hidden treasures at Portobello Market and in the vintage stores around East London has always influenced my style.”