Amanda Wakeley

Amanda Jane Wakeley was born on September 15, 1962, the daughter of Sir John Wakeley, 2nd Baronet, a surgeon, and June, a physiotherapist. Raised in Cheshire, she attended Cheltenham Ladies College. Following a period as a fashion model in New York during the 1980s, Wakeley established her signature fashion line in 1990. She opened a studio and boutique in Chelsea, London, utilizing a £20,000 loan from her father. The brand quickly gained recognition, notably through patronage from Princess Diana, which contributed to its early success.

Over the years, Amanda Wakeley developed her brand to include not only evening and cocktail dresses but also daywear, tailoring, knitwear, and a range of accessories and jewelry. Her bridal collection, Sposa, also gained prominence. In 2009, Wakeley, alongside businessman Hugh Morrison, reacquired her label for £1 million. This was followed by a substantial financial investment from AGC Equity Partners, a private equity firm, in 2012, further expanding the brand’s reach. The brand had a flagship store in Albemarle Street, Mayfair, London, and concessions at retailers like Harvey Nichols, with presence in Europe, America, and the Middle East.

In 2010, Wakeley was appointed an OBE for her contributions to the fashion industry. She also earned three British Fashion Awards. She has maintained an advocacy role, particularly as an advocate for the international organization Women for Women, and since 1996, co-chaired the committee for the Fashion Targets Breast Cancer appeal. In September 2016, she launched the Monogram Collection, an accessories line featuring leather bags and smaller items, on the UK shopping channel QVC. Despite these achievements, the company went into administration in 2021, impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.