After first launching her signature label in 1990, Amanda Wakeley has developed an international reputation for designing stylish, supremely luxurious, womenswear and accessories, even being awarded an OBE for services to the fashion industry in 2010.

From a lunch date to the glittering ballroom, you can always count on clothing by Amanda Wakeley to dress you in style and comfort. We were fortunate enough to have fifteen minutes with Amanda herself, and learn about the woman behind the brand.

How would you describe the style and offering of the brand?

I’ve always wanted to cater to every aspect of our woman’s life, giving her options for versatile outfit building. From workwear to cocktail, après-ski to beach, I wanted the brand to be the ‘go to’ for every occasion.

The Amanda Wakeley woman is ageless – she has an attitude to dressing rather than being a specific age. She wears the clothes because they are sexy yet not overt, they are body enhancing yet comfortable, they are relevant yet appropriate to her lifestyle…. she truly has an enviable ease.

What first inspired you to extend your range from eveningwear to lifestyle?

It seemed like an obvious evolution for the brand. It made no sense for our woman to be going elsewhere to fill the gaps in her wardrobe and with this I sensed a real opportunity.

I wanted to take her on our ‘journey’ with us so that she evolves as our aesthetic and approach to dressing evolves. The lifestyle aspect of the brand and its components relate strongly to my lifestyle. It is a believable one.

You’ve dressed all kinds of stars from Helen Mirren and Mischa Barton, to Dita Von Teese and The Royal Family. Is there a type of person you like to dress?

For me, the type of person that really embodies the Amanda Wakeley woman is strong, empowered, poised and independent.

Your brand focuses on luxury, but also on practicality. Are you more a woman of luxury or a practical kind of girl, and how do you balance the two?

I really could only say that I am both. The practicality comes from the fact that I have to feel comfortable (and flattered) in what I am wearing, which is probably where my passion for fit comes from. If you don’t feel comfortable in your clothes, it will be distracting at best or ruin your day or evening at worst!

Luxury and practicality can totally cross over – layers of superfine cashmere are both practical and luxurious, similarly with an oversized tote in python skin. I love nothing more than toning down an evening gown with either a bridle leather belt or a leather biker jacket – nothing should look too precious in my world.

What is your personal definition of luxury?

I can’t think of luxury without thinking of sensuality, how something feels – both gorgeous to the touch and making you feel spoilt.

How do you define a type of glamour that is relevant today?

At Amanda Wakeley, this is what we call ‘Clean Glam’; it’s about being effortless, easy and relaxed with a gilt edge.

With all the glamour that surrounds you, are you a romantic?

I love to dream about where something will be worn and the story and lifestyle around the pieces – how someone will feel wearing that piece in that place, be it in a beautiful chalet in the Alps, or a beach in Mustique or walking down the road in Chelsea, London. That may sound like a very practical ‘romance’, but it isn’t at all. It allows your imagination to flow…

What’s Your Favourite:

Flower: White amaryllis
Jewellery: Diamonds, closely followed by Colombian emeralds
Designer: Madame Grès
Artist: Rothko
Colour: Black
Book: I look forward to the day that I truly have time to read books! However, in the meantime, it’s ‘Vanity Fair’
City: London
Style: Clean Glam
Drink: Vodka on the rocks with a twist of lime
Essential comforts: A good manicure, VERY dark chocolate (I am a complete chocoholic), sunshine, my mother, music, love, loyalty and laughter, the beauty found in nature, really good bed linen and warm white towels, a strong shower, a deep bath and fresh air.

Shop the latest Amanda Wakeley offerings here…