Sir Hardy Amies

the designers

Hardy Amies was born in London on July 17, 1909. He studied at the Brentwood School, in Essex in England. After leaving school in 1927 he worked in France and Germany, where he became fluent in French.

He returned to England in 1930 and 4 years later he was appointed designer at London’s House of Lachasse. 1935 he was managing director as well as chief designer. 1939 When World War II started, Hardy Amies contributed to the Utility Scheme operated by the British Board of Trade. In 1946 Hardy opened his own house in London at 14, Savile Row. 1950 Amies opened a Boutique selling accessories and ready to wear clothes, which became very successful.

His designs came to the attention of Princess Elizabeth and she asked him to design some day clothes for a tour of Canada. This was the beginning of a long and productive relationship. In 1955 Amies became, by appointment, one of the new queen's dressmakers. He continued in this position until 1990 when he felt it was time for younger designers to dress the queen. In 1989, in recognition of his long service as the queen's dressmaker, he was made a Knight Commander of the Royal Victorian Order. In March 2003, he died at his home in the country, at the age of 93.

the label

As well as creating couture dresses, Amies had been creating a ready-to-wear line since 1950. In the early 1960s, he created a dynamic line of menswear based on the athletic male body.

1974 Hardy Amies appointed Ken Fleetwood, as Design director.

In 2000 Hardy sold his house to the Luxury Brands Group who installed a high-powered team who started revamping the house of Hardy Amies, under the creative directorship of Paolo Gabrielli.

The new womenswear collection was to be designed by Amanda Wakeley's former assistant Huguette Hubbard.

Menswear was in the hands of Mathew Wood.

The very experienced Jacques Azagury was to continue designing couture at the Savile Row headquarters.

In addition a new London store was planned. However after about six months, disagreements appeared and the team left.