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Star designer had flair for fashion as a child

Susannah Wright
3/ 4/2008

HE IS one of the hottest properties in the fashion world, who has built his reputation dressing style icons such as Kate Moss, Kylie and Sienna Miller.

Now the mum of designer to the stars Matthew Williamson has revealed how he honed his skills making clothes for friends and family from their Chorlton home before he had even started high school.

Maureen Williamson told the Reporter how she bought Matthew his first sewing machine for his 11th birthday.

And she said he soon got down to business on the £50 Singer machine, turning the semi-detached house on Dalmorton Road into his own fashion studio.

Maureen said: "Even at the age of 11 he had an eye for fashion.

"He was always well-dressed and never scruffy, and he would beg us to take him to Afflecks Palace so he could try the latest styles.

"He’d always loved drawing and painting, but he became interested in fabrics and asked for a sewing machine for his 11th birthday.

"He would bring girls home from school to try things out, and I think the first thing he made was a skirt for his sister."

Matthew, 36, was a popular pupil at the English Martyrs’ Primary School on Alexandra Road in Whalley Range and St Thomas Aquinas High School on Nell Lane, Chorlton - now called Loreto High School.

He studied fashion at Central St Martin’s college before taking up a job with Monsoon. He got his big break when his designs were featured in the fashion bible, Vogue.

In the early days of his career, Maureen, a former opticians’ manager, and dad David, a former TV engineer, moved to London to help him get his business off the ground, by lending a hand with administration and deliveries.

Maureen, 60, said: "It was a bit strange in a way, us working for him, but we’re so proud of him and just wanted to help him."

She and David, 68, retired two years ago and moved to Altrincham, to be near their daughter, Matthew’s elder sister Andrea.

Maureen said: "Matthew loves coming back up to, to catch up with the family and his old friends.

"He’s absolutely thrilled that some of his collections are being shown in Manchester, and we’re so proud of him too.

"He’s still very down-to-earth and I think a lot of that has to do with growing up in Chorlton, so it’s nice in a way that things have come full circle back to his home town."

Now fans can see his work for themselves as the exhibition Matthew Williamson – Ten Years in Fashion comes to Urbis.

The designer says the Manchester exhibition is the perfect way to celebrate a decade in fashion in his home town.

She said: "It feels like I have travelled a full circle."

Matthew will be appearing at the official launch party on Wednesday, April 9.

The show, previously displayed at London’s Design Museum, features much of his early work and influences dating from the heady days of the Madchester scene and the subsequent explosion of art, fashion and design.

Matthew Williamson: Ten Years in Fashion Exhibition runs at Urbis until September 21, 2008. Urbis is open daily from 10am to 6pm. Entry is free. For more details ring 0161 605 8200 or visit www.urbis.org.uk.