Best British fashion houses and designers, prestigious fashion schools in the UK

The eclectic, extravagant British fashion is based on a paradoxical combination of classic and traditional with the latest trends in the fashion world. Great Britain sets the tone in the fashion industry along with New York, Milan and Paris, and British designers are in the TOP fashion rankings for the second decade. The developed educational sector is fueling the British fashion industry: many novice fashion designers dream of studying at British design schools, working or training in fashion houses in London .

Fashion houses and the most famous designers in the UK

The capital of Great Britain gained a reputation as one of the centers of fashion design in the last century, when the dominance of Parisian fashion declined. The contribution of the fashion sector to the economy of England is approximately 30 billion pounds per year.

The most famous brands and names in the world of British fashion design:

• Alexander McQueen. He was known for his creative approach, created ambiguous, deep and disturbing collections. In the last of those that were presented by the artist personally, huge shoes appeared similar to crab claws. After his death in 2010, the company was headed by Sarah Burton, who designed Kate Middleton's wedding dress and confidently leading the fashion house from one successful show to another.
• Burberry is known for its unmistakably recognizable checkered pattern, raincoats and scarves. The clothes of this brand are worn by everyone - from Barack Obama to Kate Moss. It was with this brand that the British fashion world has long been associated. For a long time, the main creative director of the fashion house was Christopher Bailey, a native of Yorkshire who previously headed the Gucci women's line in Milan.
• Stella McCartney - a bright representative of the British fashion industry, worked as the creative director of the Paris Fashion House Chloé, released her own line with Gucci. Today, the fashion house distinguishes itself with a typically British style, which offers everything from clothes, shoes and bags without fur and leather to the most sophisticated design of lingerie and bathing suits. The designer supports PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals), some models are accompanied by texts that support the artist’s animal protection policy.
• Vivienne Westwood is a British fashion legend who creates bold, bold designs as vibrant as her signature hairstyles. Inspired by punk music and the era in general, Westwood's nihilistic designs break the rules by encouraging owners to show personality. The artist was fed from punk culture: it was Westwood who legitimized the movement by fitting it into the cultural matrix of the era.
• Paul Smith is a successful British designer: in his collections, recognizable classics meet with bizarre design. Smith may not be the most experimental artist, but his beautiful costumes and robust casual wear have strengthened the reputation of his fashion house and British style on the world stage.
• John Galliano was born in Gibraltar, worked in London until the 1990s, then worked for many years in French fashion houses, including Dior and Givenchy. Galliano designed a 1920s-style Kate Moss dress for her 2011 wedding with musician Jamie Hins. Known for his intricate creations: he is distinguished by a love of theatricality, splendor, rich decoration.
• The Pringle of Scotland brand was founded by Robert Pringle - from the beginning of the 19th century he designed and created the best knitwear. Fashion pioneers, Pringle of Scotland are famous for their use of high-quality wool and cashmere, continuing to produce luxurious knitwear and strengthen its relevance in the modern world.
• British Ghanaian Ozwald Boateng has a reputation for being the best contemporary British designer. Trained in the traditional styles and details that distinguish sewing British men's clothing, Ozwald Boateng is not afraid to use unexpected decor elements, bright colours. Some of his creations look like he created them specifically for himself, but celebrities such as Jamie Foxx, Lawrence Fishburne and Will Smith, former US President Barack Obama, choose his label.
• There is no shortage of graduates from the prestigious Central Saint Martins, but Christopher Kane stands out for the fact that his diploma collection has been widely recognized, allowing him to establish his own label in 2006. Today, Kane is known for his works demonstrating extraordinary craftsmanship with fabrics, a feminine cut. He attracted the attention of famous designers (among them - Donatella Versace), received many awards.
• Rigby & Peller is a well-known luxury lingerie brand that has been the official supplier of the royal family for several decades. The brand, founded in the 1930s by two corset creators, Berta Rigby and Gita Peller, today belongs to Harold and June Kenton and has a reputation for providing the perfect fit and intricate design.

Best Design Schools in England

The last two decades have seen steady growth in both undergraduate and graduate students who wish to take a course in fashion in the UK. Educational rankings include at least 6 UK schools, and a leading school is Central St. Martins. Design schools offer short-term courses, undergraduate programs, and in terms of number and variety of programs, it is comparable only to American competitors.

Graduates of the best British fashion schools:

• Central Saint Martins - Alexander McQueen, Paul Smith, Stella McCartney and Christopher Kane
• London College of Fashion - Jimmy Choo, Rupert Sanderson
• Royal College of Art - Philip Tracy, Ossi Clark, Zandra Rhodes.

10 best fashion design schools in the UK