Matthew Williamson

Williamson was born in Manchester and studied in Loreto College until he was 17 years old. He then moved to London to attend school at Central Saint Martin's College of Art and Design, graduating in 1994.{{cite web|title=Matthew Williamson Profile|url=http://www.hellomagazine.com/profiles/matthew-williamson/|date=8 November 2016|work=Hello! Magazine}}

Together with Joseph Velosa, Williamson founded his eponymous fashion house in February 1997.Nina Jones (23 April 2015), [https://wwd.com/fashion-news/designer-luxury/matthew-williamson-shifts-business-online-10115910/ Matthew Williamson Shifts Business Online] Women's Wear Daily. The same year, he debuted his collection 'Electric Angels' at London Fashion Week.{{cite web|title=Matthew Williamson|url=http://www.londonfashionweek.co.uk/designers_profile.aspx?DesignerID=213|publisher=London Fashion Week|accessdate=11 December 2012}} His collections were displayed during New York Fashion week in 2002.{{cite web|last=Alexander|first=Hilary|title=New York Fashion Week: Matthew Williamson|url=http://fashion.telegraph.co.uk/news-features/TMG3365236/New-York-Fashion-Week-Matthew-Williamson.html|work=The Daily Telegraph|accessdate=11 December 2012}} His store at 28 Bruton Street, in Mayfair, London, followed in 2004.{{cite web|last=Milligan|first=Laura|title=Today in History – April 29|url=http://www.vogue.co.uk/news/history/2009/04/donatella-versace-gave-her-verdict-on-mrs-clintons-look|publisher=Vogue|accessdate=11 December 2012}}

In 2005, Williamson launched his perfume range.

In addition to designing his eponymous line, Williamson served as creative director at Pucci from 2006 to 2008;Imogen Fox (26 September 2008), [https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2008/sep/26/milanfashionweek.catwalk Bowing out at Pucci] The Guardian. he succeeded Christian Lacroix.Miles Socha (4 October 2005), [https://wwd.com/fashion-news/fashion-features/williamson-signs-on-at-pucci-559784/ Williamson Signs On at Pucci] Women's Wear Daily.

In 2007, a runway show of his designs was incorporated into the video for Prince's song "Chelsea Rodgers" from his Planet Earth album.

In September 2008, Williamson returned to London full-time to focus fully on his own label's forthcoming ventures and expansion.

In 2010, Williamson's brand debuted at retail his first men’s capsule collection.Nina Jones (8 January 2010), [https://wwd.com/feature/matthew-williamson-takes-on-men-s-wear-2406110-1398048/ Matthew Williamson Takes on Men’s Wear] Women's Wear Daily.

In Autumn 2010, a self-titled book was published by Rizzoli. The book is written by Colin McDowell with a foreword by Sienna Miller, and contributions from Anna Wintour, Alexandra Shulman and Diane von Fürstenberg. An accompanying photographic exhibition marked the book launch at Somerset House.{{cite web|title=Matthew Williamson's Book Launch|date=7 October 2010|url=http://www.harpersbazaar.co.uk/fashion/fashion-news/news/a4168/matthew-williamsons-book-launch/|publisher=Harper's Bazaar|accessdate=8 November 2016}}

In 2011, Williamson launched MW by Matthew Williamson, a diffusion lineLauren Cochrane (6 January 2012), [https://www.ft.com/content/8a11f24e-2a75-11e1-9bdb-00144feabdc0 Parallel lines] Financial Times. as part of a license agreement with Italian company Mariella Burani Fashion Group.Samantha Conti (12 October 2010), [https://wwd.com/feature/matthew-williamson-to-launch-new-line-3336767-1237976/ Matthew Williamson Designs Diffusion Line] Women's Wear Daily.

September 2012 marked the 15th anniversary of Williamson's career. To commemorate the occasion, a [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YNK1q5eVlvY short film] was commissioned in association with Swarovski. The film, titled XV, stars friends of the brand including Sienna Miller, Andrea Riseborough and Poppy Delevingne. It was showcased exclusively on Net-a-Porter.com alongside a limited edition Swarovski collection of crystal dresses.{{cite web|title=Screening of Matthew Williamson XV|url=http://www.tatler.com/bystander/events/2012/october/matthew-williamson-screening#!/8774/image/1|publisher=Tatler|accessdate=8 November 2016}}{{cite web|title=Sienna Miller wishes Matthew Williamson a happy 15th Anniversary in glam video|date=14 November 2012|url=http://www.marieclaire.co.uk/news/fashion-news/sienna-miller-wishes-matthew-williamson-a-happy-15th-anniversary-in-glam-video-135948|publisher=Marie Claire|accessdate=8 November 2016}}

By 2015, Williamson moved to selling his brand's collections online with a renewed focus on licenses and closed his London flagship.Nina Jones (23 April 2015), [https://wwd.com/fashion-news/designer-luxury/matthew-williamson-shifts-business-online-10115910/ Matthew Williamson Shifts Business Online] Women's Wear Daily.

Williamson then expanded into the home and lifestyle sectors. 2013 saw the launch of his collaboration with Osborne & Little on a range of home furnishing fabrics and wallpapers.{{cite web|title=Matthew Williamson turns interior designer for Osborne & Little|url=http://fashion.telegraph.co.uk/news-features/TMG10273677/Matthew-Williamson-turns-interior-designer-for-Osborne-and-Little.html|work=The Daily Telegraph|accessdate=8 November 2016}} The second collection was released in 2014, titled 'Samana', and the third in 2015, titled 'Cubana'. In 2016, Williamson collaborated with Duresta to launch his first furniture collection,{{cite web|title=A kaleidoscope of colours:British fashion designer Matthew Williamson's hot new furniture collection|date=27 May 2016|url=http://www.homesandproperty.co.uk/luxury/interiors/british-fashion-designer-matthew-williamsons-electric-new-furniture-collection-a101136.html|work=Evening Standard|accessdate=8 November 2016}} as well as cards, stationery and a designer colouring book featuring notable prints from the designer's previous fashion collections. In October 2016, Williamson launched a collaboration with United States homeware brand CB2, a division of Crate & Barrel.{{cite web|title=CB2 and Fashion Designer Matthew Williamson on How to Decorate with Pattern|date=12 October 2016|url=http://www.architecturaldigest.com/story/cb2-matthew-williamson-pattern-collaboration|publisher=Architectural Digest|accessdate=8 November 2016}}

Williamson also has had collaborations with Linda Farrow for sunglasses and The Rug Company.Nina Jones (23 April 2015), [https://wwd.com/fashion-news/designer-luxury/matthew-williamson-shifts-business-online-10115910/ Matthew Williamson Shifts Business Online] Women's Wear Daily.

In 2022, Williamson launched a homeware collection for John Lewis.{{Cite news |date=2022-03-03 |title=Matthew Williamson's joyful John Lewis collaboration |work=Financial Times |url=https://www.ft.com/content/cb1812b5-5a7d-48f6-af29-e049e1c9dae8 |access-date=2022-12-12}} The range is characterised by his signature bold colours and maximalist botanical wallpapers, bedding, cushions, and towels alongside mirrors, lighting, and candles. Matthew’s collaboration is the biggest of its kind for the department store chain and will be ongoing, with a new collection to launch in 2023.

Additionally in 2022, Williamson designed The Cocktail Club’s Birmingham location which is the bar’s biggest site to date.{{Cite web |last=Case |first=Charlie |date=2022-08-11 |title=The Cocktail Club Brings The World's Hottest Happy Hour To Birmingham |url=https://secretbirmingham.com/cocktail-club-birmingham/ |access-date=2022-12-12 |website=Secret Birmingham |language=en-GB}} The cocktail bar’s decadent interior highlight’s Matthew’s distinct use of pattern and colour through the inclusion of leopard print sofas, gold leaf ceiling hangings, and a 1970s London Zoo cheetah centrepiece.

In 2023, Williamson designed the Design Kitchen,{{Cite web |last=Events |first=Prestige |title=Design Museum reveals new events space in partnership with Matthew Williamson {{!}} Prestige Events Magazine |url=https://www.prestigeeventsmagazineblog.com/design-museum-reveals-new-events-space-in-partnership-with-matthew-williamson/ |access-date=2024-02-12 |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Q42 |first=Fabrique & |title=Q&A with Matthew Williamson |url=https://designmuseum.org/plan-your-visit/eat-drink/qa-with-matthew-williamson |access-date=2024-02-12 |website=Design Museum |language=en}} a dining space located at the Design Museum in Kensington, London. For this project, he worked closely with UK-based artisans to create a green lounge filled with soft leather furnishings which contrast the building’s otherwise minimalist, industrial aesthetic.{{Cite web |date=2023-12-04 |title=Here's how to decorate your home in the new colour du jour |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/home-decoration-design-green-b2454761.html |access-date=2024-02-12 |website=The Independent |language=en}}

Also in 2023, Williamson collaborated with luxury British footwear and accessories brand, Kurt Geiger, to launch a limited-edition summer collection.{{Cite web |date=2023-06-02 |title=Matthew Williamson has teamed up with Kurt Geiger on a collection that will be your go-to this summer |url=https://www.hellomagazine.com/hfm/494544/matthew-williamson-has-teamed-up-with-kurt-geiger-on-a-collection-that-will-be-your-go-to-this-summer/ |access-date=2024-02-12 |website=HELLO! |language=en}}{{Cite news |last1=Jones |first1=Jo |last2=Seamons |first2=Helen |date=2023-05-27 |title=We love: fashion fixes for the week ahead – in pictures |url=https://www.theguardian.com/fashion/gallery/2023/may/27/we-love-fashion-fixes-for-the-week-ahead-in-pictures |access-date=2024-02-12 |work=the Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}} This curation of beachwear and furnishings included handbags, deck chairs, shoes, swimwear, and jewellery in a range of bespoke prints created by Williamson.{{Cite web |last=Royce |first=Aaron |date=2023-06-10 |title=Kurt Geiger's Rebecca Farrar-Hockley and Matthew Williamson Talk Their New Collaboration's Prints, Sandals and the Power of Color |url=https://footwearnews.com/fashion/collaborations/kurt-geiger-matthew-williamson-shoes-collaboration-1203474315/ |access-date=2024-02-12 |website=Footwear News |language=en-US}}

In 2010, Williamson made a guest appearance on season 7 of Project Runway.{{cite web|url=http://www.sassybella.com/2010/01/matthew-william-to-judge-project-runway-nina-garcia-la-was-almost-impossible|title=Matthew Williamson to judge Project Runway; Nina Garcia "LA was almost impossible"|publisher=Sassybella.com|date=27 January 2010|accessdate=1 August 2012}} The episode aired on 28 January 2010.

In 2019, Williamson was the guest judge on episode 1 of the first series of Interior Design Masters, which aired on 14 August 2019 on BBC Two. He returned in the eighth week to help judge the final, alongside fellow guest judge Naomi Cleaver. Matthew is a continuing guest judge{{Cite web |last=Heath |first=Olivia |date=2022-04-27 |title=Interior Design Masters winner revealed |url=https://www.housebeautiful.com/uk/lifestyle/g35379694/interior-design-masters-contestants/ |access-date=2022-12-12 |website=House Beautiful |language=en-GB}} on the competition series, offering advice and appraisal to designers looking for their big break. Matthew will be returning to judge season 4 which airs in spring 2023.

In 2023, Williamson released a book entitled, Living Bright: Fashioning Colourful Interiors{{Cite news |last=Wiseman |first=Eva |date=2023-09-03 |title='An expression of you': fashion virtuoso Matthew Williamson on redesigning his world |url=https://www.theguardian.com/fashion/2023/sep/03/an-expression-of-you-fashion-virtuoso-matthew-williamson-on-redesigning-his-world-how-you-can-too |access-date=2024-02-12 |work=The Observer |language=en-GB |issn=0029-7712}}{{Cite web |date=2023-09-06 |title=Matthew Williamson's Tips For Pink Interiors {{!}} SheerLuxe |url=https://sheerluxe.com/home/interior-design/matthew-williamsons-tips-pink-interiors |access-date=2024-02-12 |website=sheerluxe.com |language=en-gb}}, published by Thames & Hudson, who describe it as: "A practical guide for how to turn bland corners of your home into a technicolour paradise."{{Cite web |title=Living Bright |url=https://thamesandhudson.com/living-bright-fashioning-colourful-interiors-matthew-williamson-9780500024577 |access-date=2024-02-12 |website=thamesandhudson.com |language=en}}

In 2007, the Design Museum in London hosted a retrospective of Williamson's work entitled "Matthew Williamson – 10 years in Fashion".{{cite web|title=Matthew Williamson – 10 Years in Fashion|url=http://www.easier.com/28372-matthew-williamson-10-years-in-fashion.html|publisher=Easier Lifestyle|accessdate=11 December 2012}}

In 2008, Williamson was awarded the "Red Carpet Designer" accolade at the British Fashion Awards,{{cite web|title=Red Carpet Designer 2008|url=http://www.britishfashionawards.com/content.aspx?CategoryID=378|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101207193524/http://www.britishfashionawards.com/content.aspx?CategoryID=378|url-status=dead|archive-date=7 December 2010|publisher=British Fashion Awards|accessdate=11 December 2012}} where he has also received three nominations for Designer of the Year.{{cite web|title=Fashion designer Matthew Williamson launches e-commerce site|url=http://www.utalkmarketing.com/pages/Article.aspx?ArticleID=13996&Title=Fashion_designer_Matthew_Williamson_launches_e-commerce_site|date=18 May 2009|work=UTalkMarketing|access-date=19 May 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120219195614/http://www.utalkmarketing.com/pages/Article.aspx?ArticleID=13996&Title=Fashion_designer_Matthew_Williamson_launches_e-commerce_site|archive-date=19 February 2012|url-status=dead}}

{{Reflist}}

• {{Official website}}
• {{fashiondesigner|id=matthew-williamson}}
• [https://www.bbc.co.uk/blast/art/showcase/competition/ BBC Blast – Matthew Williamson]
• [http://bartolomy.com/galleries/designers/ Matthew Williamson @ Bartolomy]

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Category:1971 births

Category:Alumni of Central Saint Martins

Category:British fashion designers

Category:Designers from Manchester

Category:LGBTQ fashion designers

Category:High fashion brands

Category:Living people

Category:People from Chorlton-cum-Hardy