Catherine Walker (27 June 1945 – 23 September 2010) was a French-born fashion designer based in London. Born Catherine Marguerite Marie-Thérèse Baheux in Calais, France, Walker is known for having supplied over a thousand garments for Diana, Princess of Wales.
Life and career
Walker studied aesthetics and philosophy at the universities of Lille and Aix-en-Provence[1] and achieved a master's degree. While studying for a PhD she moved to London and lived in Earl's Court.[1] She became a permanent UK resident after marrying solicitor John Walker in 1970.[1] The couple had two daughters. In 1975 John Walker had a heart attack and died while on holiday in France.[1]
Her second husband was Said Cyrus from Iran, a lecturer at the Chelsea School of Art who co-founded Catherine Walker Ltd with her.[1]
She began her life in fashion making and selling children’s clothes. She later moved into designing for women, specialising in high-end evening dresses, occasionwear and wedding gowns. In 1976, she and her husband Said Cyrus set up The Chelsea Design Company in Sydney Street, Chelsea.[1] In 1991, Walker was awarded Designer of the Year for Glamour and in 1990 Designer of the Year for Couture at the British Fashion Awards. Walker was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1995. She became a founding sponsor of Breast Cancer Haven.[1]
Company
Catherine Walker opened her business in 1977 a small shop in Sydney Street, London. She was a successful couturiere for over 30 years. Walker designed two seasonal collections per year, as well as wedding gowns and she created a range of skincare products. Following her death, her husband Said Cyrus continued the business as head designer. He continues to run it with the same philosophy, focusing on bespoke garments for clients and eschewing runway shows, large marketing campaigns, and the wholesale trade.[2]
Notable clients
Many European royals and high profile individuals have worn Catherine Walker because her very formal designs in a range of colours for daywear and embroidered evening wear closely match the requirements of formal events.
Diana Spencer, former Princess of Wales: Catherine Walker became one of the Princess of Wales' favourite designers. Her professional relationship with Diana began three months after Diana's marriage to Prince Charles in 1981, and lasted until Diana's death sixteen years later, during which time Walker provided the Princess with many of her most iconic garments.[3]
Walker created the dress and lace veil which Diana wore at the Apostolic Palace during a Pontifical audience with Pope John Paul II in 29 April 1985, the same dress Diana was buried along with a personal Rosary gifted to her by Saint Teresa of Calcutta.[4]
Catherine, Princess of Wales: Walker's designs are also chosen by Diana's daughter-in-law, Catherine. Catherine Walker has become one of the current Princess of Wales favourite designers and she chooses to wear the designer’s creations for formal engagements.[5]
Prince William had a few coats made by Catherine Walker as a child.[6]
Lady Gabriella Kingston has been wearing CW designs since her teenage years and has stayed loyal to the brand. She wore the designer's coatdress to the memorial service for Catherine Walker in 2010.[9] She almost always wears the designer's pieces to the formal royal events, most recently the coronation of King Charles III at Westminster Abbey, London.[citation needed]
Sophie Winkleman formally Lady Frederick Windsor, the sister-in-law of Lady Gabriella Kingston is also a fan of the Catherine Walker fashion house. She has been seen in CW outfit for many formal royal events [10][11][12]
Carole Middleton, the mother of Catherine, Princess of Wales also wore Catherine Walker for numerous public occasions.[13][14]
Judi Dench has worn a bespoke Catherine Walker piece for British Vogue -Ask a legend interview in 2020.[17]
J.K. Rowling wore a Paddington coat dress to receive her insignia as a Member of the Order of the Companions of Honour in 2017.[18]
Death
Walker died on 23 September 2010 in a hospital, after being found unconscious by a neighbour at her home in Sussex, England.[19] She had suffered breast cancer and was a founding Sponsor of the charity called "Breast Cancer Haven".[20][21] Catherine Walker is survived by her second husband Said Ismael Cyrus and her two daughters, Naomi and Marianne, from her first marriage.[22][23]
