Emilia Wickstead Women

Talent and perseverance are often the only qualities required to establish a thriving business, and Emilia Wickstead would not disagree. Arriving in England at the age of 18 to attend the Central Saint Martins School after a childhood spent in New Zealand and Milan, the designer quickly aimed high. Eager to launch her eponymous brand, she first learned the basics of the trade from the best, from Giorgio Armani to Narciso Rodriguez, including Proenza Schouler, Vogue US, and an interior decorator from Chelsea. On the advice of her boyfriend at the time (who has since become her husband), who gifted her his £5,000 bonus, she opened her house in 2008. Already, the silhouettes are elegant and modern, and the colors are vibrant. But having no idea how to operate a wholesale system and being unable to stock her pieces, the designer had no choice but to offer only a bespoke creation service. An option still available today, which helps her stand out from her competitors whose models are never altered. For four years, she worked daily in her shop and got to know her clientele. In the evenings, she worked as a physio at Mahiki, the capital's quirky aristocratic club, to improve her cash flow. Things then progressed quickly: in 2010, Samantha Cameron was photographed wearing an Emilia Wickstead dress in front of 10 Downing Street. The following year, the British Fashion Council approached her to invite her to join the official calendar of London Fashion Week: in September, she presented her Spring-Summer 2012 collection, marking the beginning of a new era for her, that of ready-to-wear. A few months later, Kate Middleton helped to launch the brand into the spotlight by choosing to wear it for the St. Patrick's Day parade. Feminine and structured, Emilia Wickstead's creations are designed for active women who wish to add a touch of modern sophistication to their wardrobe. As popular with celebrities on the red carpet as with executive women in the City, they are tinged with a timeless avant-gardism that makes them the perfect investment.