Maxfield Parrish

Maxfield Parrish was a British fashion brand founded by Nigel Preston in the early 1970s. With an international reputation – especially for its work in leathers – it was selected as part of the Dress of the Year in 1982. Establishment and early years Maxfield Parrish was established just off the King's Road in 1972. The brand was named after the American artist and illustrator Maxfield Parrish, who was admired by founder Nigel Preston. Preston, who had trained in art and then dabbled in the music industry – once supporting Hawkwind at a gig in Hampstead – began with a stall on Portobello Road selling women's tops made of chamois leather. He was self taught and had made clothes for many years, learning pattern making by deconstructing clothes. Originally the store focused on what Preston's obituary described as men's clothes "of dandyesque theatricality". He was soon attracting pop stars of both sexes and his clothes were worn by, among others, Suzi Quatro. Another fan was Julie Andrews who, it was reported, would only buy her leather trousers from Maxfield Parrish. In the early days the business was underfunded and Preston lived out of a suitcase; he received financial support from David Ford, who was his business partner until 1984. Move into high fashion By 1978, Preston's wife Brenda Knight – who had first met him when she provided some fashion PR that secured Maxfield Parrish coverage in Vogue – began to move the brand towards more mainstream fashion, spotting its potential in international markets. It began showing at the London Designer Collections – forerunner to London Fashion Week – and by 1981 it was attracting coverage for its suede and leather fashions. Suzy Menkes said in October that year: "Nigel Preston of Maxfield Parrish has some superb ideas in suede and leather, especially pin-striped suede and big skirts in the softest chamois, but the collection needs editing".