BalanceSeptember2016 - 61

FAS H I O N HOUSE my best customers. I'm going to take them all out for dinner afterwards.' Q. Why did you develop MW Home? A. 'I've always said if someone buys one Pink, deep blue and turquoise combine in striking Boho style MANY CUSTOMERS EMAIL ME. I DON'T SEE MYSELF IN THE IVORY TOWER. I LEARN FROM THEM of my dresses, then she probably has a lovely home as well! 'Even as a child, I was fascinated by interiors. It's been an instinctive journey - I knew my prints would translate well to lifestyle products. 'I guess that's a form of upcycling - trying 'The collection feels like a very natural to make something rich out of something extension of the clothes. It's exciting that is poor. For my February collection, - we've created ceramic items, I'm using archive fabric I've stored candles and a colouring for years and never used, as it WINGING I T Single-handedly, book about fashion to sit didn't quite fit at the time - it's Matthew Williamson's a beautiful gold brocade. 'It alongside the furniture. designs have made It's taken two years to get will be limited edition, but it's the butterfly to this point, but we now a nice way of using old things into the most have our wallpaper in and bringing them back to life.' fashionable insect on earth 50 more countries than we had our fashion! 'I don't think people are buying my wallpaper necessarily because they know the brand name - they're buying it because they are enjoying the pattern and the product, which is lovely.' Q. What are your thoughts on upcycling? A. 'I'm not interested in glamour. If my work ever has that look, it's often courtesy of really basic materials - a glitzy dress, for example, is probably made from little pieces of tin. Q. What would you say has been the highlight of your career? A. 'My fondest memory is when Prince performed at my London Fashion Week show in 2007. I didn't believe it would happen, so I was as shocked as the next person when he actually turned up!' B The Matthew Williamson Garden, at Blakes Hotel is open from 14 September Matthew Williamson's Fashion, Print and Colouring Book, published by Laurence King at £15.95, is out now (laurenceking.com). 'Flutter my lashes? I learned from the best' One of my best customers is a lady in her eighties, who lives in the Bahamas.' Q. How important is your relationship with your customer? A. 'Lots of them email me. I don't see myself in the ivory tower: I'm one of them; they're one of me. I learn from them. 'I've just been to a customer's wedding in Aberdeen and she told me all the things she thought were right and wrong with the clothes - it was like a life lesson. It's nice that they approach me and we have this personal dialogue. 'I'm doing a talk at the Victoria & Albert Museum in November and I have bought 40 tickets for From fashion to interiors, Matthew's inspiration comes from the textures, colours and patterns found in nature September 2016 BALANCE 61 http://www.laurenceking.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of BalanceSeptember2016