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Alice Temperley Biography

Alice Temperley (born July 22, 1975) is a British fashion designer based in London. Her fashion label, Temperley London was launched in 2000.

Alice Temperley

Career

Alice Temperley grew up in Somerset, on her parent's ciderfarm before moving to London to attend university. Temperley graduated from the Royal College of Art and Central Saint Martins before setting up her company, Temperley London, together with her then boyfriend (now husband) Lars von Bennigsen in 2000. She is well known for her focus on beautiful fabrics and hand finishes and has been hailed as the designer making the biggest waves in British fashion by American Vogue.

Temperley London produces four collections per year: Autumn/Winter, Cruise, Spring/Summer and Pre Fall. These include Ready To Wear, Black Label (exclusive evening gowns and cocktail dresses), Beach, Accessories, Bridal. The designer has 4 stand alone boutiques in London, New York, Los Angeles and Dubai. Additionally, Temperley London is sold in 300 stores in 37 different countries. In 2007, Temperley London launched a Bridal department with a boutique next door to its London flagship store. The headquarters are based in Notting Hill, London adjacent to the designer's home.

Temperley hosted her first fashion show in Notting Hill, London in 2003. In 2005 she moved her fashion shows to New York where she has showed since, with the exception of the Spring Summer 2009 show in 2008 in London. For the Autumn/Winter 2009/10 show Temperley hosted a two day presentation simultaneous with an online multimedia video launch rather than a traditional catwalk show.

Recognition

Temperley has been awarded several times including English Print Designer of the Year in 1999 at Indigo, Paris as well as Elle Magazine Best Young Designer of the Year Award in 2004. She was also named one of Britain's top 35 female business leaders in 2006

Wearers of her designs have included Halle Berry, Kate Hudson, Sarah Jessica Parker, Eva Mendez, Clare Danes, Sienna Miller, Lindsey Lohan, Demi Moore, Heidi Klum, Jennifer Lopez, Jessica Alba, Kate Bosworth, Keira Knightley, Leighton Meester, Naomi Campbell, Nicole Richie, Reese Witherspoon, Rosario Dawson and Scarlett Johansson.

Company

The company is privately owned and run by Alice Temperley and her husband and CEO Lars von Bennigsen. In 2006 it was widely rumored that Gucci Group were interested in buying a stake in the company. This was never confirmed nor declined by Temperley London.

In spring of 2010 Temperley London launched a sister brand 'Alice by Temperley' targeted at a younger demographic and containing more affordable pieces. The new brand tries to embody the rock and roll atmosphere that is London.
Personal life

Temperley met her husband Lars von Bennigsen in 1998, whilst working as a cocktail waitress at The Met Bar to help pay for her studies at Central Saint Martins. They married in 2002 in a 20's style wedding covered by British Vogue.
In September 2008, 5 days after the Temperley London SS09 fashion show, Temperley and her husband welcomed their first child, a son named Fox London Temperley von Bennigsen Mackiewicz.

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Last Updated: 4/5/2011

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