As the fashion world waits with bated breath for the start of London Fashion Week SS14, the national tourist board looks at the country’s fashion heritage and picks the top 5 destinations that have inspired some of England’s top fashion designers.
Alexander McQueen’s London
Host of England’s largest Fashion Week, London is also home to the world’s biggest Burberry Store (put the classic trench to the test with the store’s own rain simulator), the Fashion & Textile Museum and of course the V&A which exhibits a time-travelling gallery of fashion through the ages. Check out the city’s fashion attractions between shows, or simply grab some respite – have a few fashion week cocktails at Harvey Nichols, take a swig of Simone Rocha’s Cointreau, or treat yourself to a model spa session or lunch at the Mayfair Hotel.
London also spawned globally-renowned designers Stella McCartney and Alexander McQueen. Pay homage to the late McQueen with a tour of Savile Row – check out Anderson & Shepard, where he started he started his career as a young apprentice. Discover archived collections of Henry Poole, dubbed the “Godfather” of this illustrious street, and whose bespoke and traditional tailoring has drawn in Winston Churchill, Lord Nelson and even James Bond. With such impressive credentials, London continues to solidify its claim as a global fashion capital.
Matthew Williamson’s Manchester
Fans of Matthew Williamson are encouraged to visit his home city. Check out Tib Street Fashion Market, where visitors can find the latest up and coming names in fashion. A visit to Tib Street, the first established clothing market in the North West, is sure to keep you ahead of the crowd and you could even bag an original from Manchester’s next Matthew Williamson. Other Mancunian must-sees include indie haunt Affleck’s Palace and Oscar Pinto’s high-end boutique, Hervia Bazaar. This local knows a thing or two about trends, having also bought the flagship Adidas Y-3 and various Vivenne Westwood stores.
The English have been Mad-Hatter crazy about headwear since long before Princess Beatrice wore that Philip Treacy creation. In Manchester, visitors can discover double floors of hatting heritage at the award-winning Stockport Hat Works Museum. Then head to Platt Hall’s Gallery of Costume, the largest collection of clothing and accessories in Britain. Containing over 20,000 items, the gallery includes everything from the clogs and shawls worn by the Lancashire Weavers to the dress of the day.
While the city hosts its own Fashion Week each year in April, the biggest news for Manchester is the arrival of Fashion Night Out this year. The move of this annual shopping extravaganza from the capital is further recognition of Manchester’s contribution to the textiles and fashion industry.
Paul Smith’s Nottinghamshire
Sir Paul Smith is one of the East Midlands’ modern legends, and his home city of Nottingham has plenty for fashionistas to discover. Start your Paul Smith pilgrimage by visiting number 10 Byard Lane. To onlookers, this ordinary outlet in Nottingham City Centre may not seem extra-special, but this is where the first Paul Smith retail store was opened in 1974 and still remains.
As well as the first shop, fans can also visit the brand’s flagship store at Willoughby House, a five-floor, Grade II listed building in which showrooms display both men’s and women’s collections. The shop’s interior has been designed by Sir Paul himself and complements the 18th century building’s history. The house stands atop the famous Nottingham caves which create the store’s basement. While here, catch a film in Screen 4 at the Broadway Cinema. This room carries the brand’s signature stripe, and was designed and opened by Sir Paul Smith.
At the end of a long day’s shopping, treat yourself to a stay at Langar Hall Hotel, a favourite of Sir Paul who is good friends with the hotel’s owner. The designer has contributed many design features to the hotel and his inimitable style can be observed throughout.
Antonio Berardi’s Lincolnshire
Grantham boy Antonio Berardi is a key figure in the contemporary fashion world, and traces of this Lincolnshire lad turned catwalk king can still be discovered in his home county. Visitors can visit Lincoln College of Art, where Berardi studied fashion, to roam the same department halls and rub shoulders with staff members who were educated by Berardi’s side. The school holds Coming into Fashion, an event officially launched in 2008 by Berardi and later supported by Paul Smith in 2010. This glamorous annual event is one of the highlights of Lincoln’s cultural calendar and a chance for audiences to see some of the most beautiful and creative work by the fashion stars of the future.
There is however an older claim to fashion fame for Lincolnshire. As the prestigious Hotel de Ville in Paris put it, “Haute Couture started with an Englishman” – one born in the antique market town of Bourne. You can unearth a real fashion find at Wake House, where a Blue Plaque inscription reads “Birthplace of Charles Frederick Worth – Father of Haute Couture”. To learn more about this founding figure take a trip to Baldocks Mill which features a gallery of the pioneer’s life, drapery and dresses.
Burberry’s Hampshire
The Burberry trench coat is the key piece keeping fashion followers elegant and effortlessly chic during the occasional English downpour. The roots of the famous trench in all its garbardine glory can be traced back to Hampshire. Born near Dorking, Thomas Burberry started his career as an apprentice at a drapery prior to opening his first outfitting store on Basingtoke’s Winchester Street in 1856. Sadly, the original store burnt down in 1938, along with early collections, however tourists can still view his full length Edwardian raincoat at The Willis Museum along with smocks, advertisements and packaging.
In addition to his premier store, Burberry also set up three factories in Basingstoke. While these no longer exist, visitors can gain access to Whitchurch Silk Mill in the small eponymous market town. Known to be the last working silk mill in the south of England, the mill was once used to produce the checked print silk that famously lined Burberry raincoats. It now functions as a working museum, making silks for interiors and costume dramas. Today, visitors can watch the working waterwheel, hear the late 19th century looms weaving silk and view the costume exhibitions.
Source:- Visit England
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