17 October 2007 - 17 January 2008
Design Museum
Matthew Williamson is a unique success story within the British fashion industry. Setting out on his career as a fashion graduate with no financial backing in 1997, he now has his own store in the heart of Mayfair, and his acclaimed collections are worn by international celebrity clients.
The exhibition followed Williamson’s path from graduation at Central St. Martins College of Art and Design in 1994 through to the summer of 1997 when a cold call to Plum Sykes, then fashion assistant at British Vogue, led to a meeting where she placed an order for silk scarves he had designed. Encouraged by her reaction, Williamson concentrated on producing his first women’s wear collection which was shown at London Fashion Week in 1997. Entitled Electric Angels, the debut show featured models Kate Moss, Jade Jagger and Helena Christensen wearing bias cut dresses in tangerine, fuscia and magenta. The show lasted just seven minutes and featured eleven outfits, but it received widespread acclaim from all those who saw it.
Williamson’s ideas have derived from a wide range of sources, both academic and intuitive. His early sketchbooks, photographs and artwork provide an insight into his working process from initial inspiration and the application of pattern, texture and colour to the finished product on the catwalk. Through a selection of Williamson’s designs, the exhibition provided an unparalleled insight into the way Williamson works.
