Cath Kidston
|
Cath Kidston MBE |
|
|---|---|
| Born |
Catherine Isabel Audrey Kidston 6 November 1958 Marylebone, London, England |
| Nationality | British |
| Occupation |
|
| Organization | Cath Kidston Limited |
| Known for | Floral prints and patterns |
| Partner(s) | Hugh Padgham |
| Parent(s) | Archibald Martin Kidston |
| Relatives |
Glen Kidston (grandfather) Kirstie Allsopp (cousin) |
Catherine Isabel Audrey "Cath" Kidston, MBE, (born 6 November 1958) is an English fashion designer, businesswoman and author whose company, Cath Kidston Limited sells home furnishings and related goods through shops, online and by mail order. She is particularly known for her nostalgic floral patterns and has also published a number of books.
Kidston's grandfather Glen Kidston was a successful racing driver for Bentley in the 1920s, who was married to Nancie, Samantha Cameron's paternal grandmother. Kidston's uncle is the former chairman of Christie's Charles Henry Allsopp, 6th Baron Hindlip and his daughters, television presenters, Kirstie Allsopp and Sofie Allsopp her cousins.
Raised with three other siblings near Andover in Hampshire, Kidston was educated at a number of English boarding schools, before moving to London aged 18. She was employed by socialite Nicky Haslam before setting up an interiors business with a friend, then opening her own shop.
Kidston opened her first shop in London's Holland Park in 1993, selling hand-embroidered tea-towels and brightly renovated furniture. She later described it as a "glorified junk shop". By the end of 2013, she had 136 outlets, including a flagship store on Piccadilly next to Fortnum & Mason and four stores in China. Appearing on BBC Radio 4's Desert Island Discs programme, Kidston described her shops as provoking a 'Marmite reaction': "People either love it and want a little bit of it very much, or want to stab us." In 2010, she sold a majority stake of the company to private equity investors TA Associates, retaining a minority stake and remaining the company's Creative Director.
...
Wikipedia