Matthew Williamson

Matthew Williamson has “the charisma to pull anything off” says a former tutor. But the designer has more than chiselled cheekbones: raw talent coupled with business acumen.

When Matthew Williamson announced that he would return from New York to show at London Fashion Week this season, British Fashion Council chairman Harold Tillman must have felt his work was done.

Williamson is arguably one of the biggest stars in the LFW line-up this season. When he took a brief break from New York to come to London for the 10th anniversary of his label in 2007, he brought pop legend Prince with him. That sort of publicity – for both the brand and LFW – is priceless, and with his high-profile fan base, you can bank on Williamson to deliver again this time around.

Williamson says it was Tillman who convinced him to return to London to celebrate LFW’s 25th anniversary. “We were flattered to be asked and wanted to be part of this important season. Plus, we’ve done a few seasons in New York, opened the store there in February and launched the collaboration with H&M there, so we feel we’ve had our moment in New York,” he explains, suggesting the move to London could last longer than one season.

“But only if the BFC maintains this momentum,” adds Joseph Velosa, Williamson’s business partner and the company’s chief executive. “It’s important that the February show is given as much thought as the 25th anniversary and that the BFC gets the same – and more – designers to come.”