The fashion legend
One of the fashion industry’s modern legends chose Alderley Edge to launch his new collection of menswear.
Irish haute couturier Nicky Wallace revealed his “New Aristocrat” collection to an invitation-only audience at the Alderley Edge Hotel (15 April).
It was a return to the north of England for the designer who has dressed music and sporting icons from George Michael and David Bowie to Manchester United defender Wes Brown - and produced wedding outfits for singer Andrea Corr’s showbusiness wedding last year.
“I got my kicks in this area – and it’s still the place,” says Dublin-based Nicky, who began his career after graduating from Leeds College of Fashion in 1975. “Cheshire is a very important part of the UK … why should I show in London?”
It’s nearly 30 years since Nicky’s first collection won orders from department stores such as Macys, and Chicago’s Carson Pirie Scott. He went on to establish international markets from London, Paris and Florence to Japan.
Now - two miles away from his Cheshire partner, menswear retailer Norton Barrie in Wilmslow - his latest collection was being modelled by a hand-picked team that included Manchester United and England footballing hero Andrew Cole, Stockport County player Luca Havern and TV’s Hollyoaks actors Ashley Taylor Dawson and Matt Milburn.
And the evening ended with a gourmet dinner in the hotel’s award-winning AA 3-rosette Alderley Restaurant.
One of the designers behind the ‘Miami Vice’ look of the eighties, Nicky’s latest approach is a ‘new romantic’ style with his often ‘dandy’ approach to country tweeds and sharp city suits using advanced Italian techniques that take high-end couture to new heights of exclusive quality.
“The whole Miami vice look that I became famous for has been both a mantle and a curse,” he adds. “For a long time, people just wanted to know about the George Michael and David Bowie period – but that was then.
“We can’t stay ‘new romantics’ forever. We all grow up, grow older … and move on.”