Damaris Alice Turle Evans (born 18 March 1975) is a British fashion designer who founded the lingerie brands Damaris and Mimi Holliday.

Damaris Evans
Born (1975-03-18) 18 March 1975 (age 49)
London, England
EducationCentral Saint Martins College of Arts and Design
Labels
  • Damaris
  • Mimi Holliday
AwardsElle Style Awards (2002, 2003)

Background edit

Evans' father was James Martin Evans (born 1933), a writer who graduated from Peterhouse, University of Cambridge. Her mother was Frances Rachel Evans (Holiday) (born 1939), an artist and the granddaughter of Sir William Rothenstein. Evans has three sisters.

Evans' great grandfather Sir William Rothenstein was Principal of the Royal College of Art from 1920 to 1935. Rothenstein's family were all involved in the arts, one brother being the painter Albert Rutherston and siblings Charles Rutherston and Emily Hesslein both art collectors. Evans' great grandmother was the actress Lady Alice Mary Rothenstein,[1] daughter of the Pre-Raphaelite artist Walter John Knewstub and the Pre-Raphaelite muse Emily Renshaw.[2]

Evan's maternal grandmother, Betty Holiday, studied at the Royal College of Art and was a sculptor.[3] Betty Holiday was a contemporary of Henry Moore and Barbara Hepworth. Betty's father, Sir William Rothenstein was Henry Moores mentor at the Royal College of Art.

Career edit

Evans studied Fashion Design with Print Making at Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design. In 2001, she started her business with a £5,000 loan from The Prince's Trust.[4]

Evans showcased the Damaris collection at London Fashion Week September 2001[5] and was sponsored by The Prince's Trust. The collection was showcased at London Fashion Week's New Generation, sponsored by the British Fashion Council in September 2003 and February 2004.[6] It received the 'Young Enterprise of the Year' award for the Spring/Summer 2003 collection at Elle Style Awards. In 2005 Evans was invited to Buckingham Palace to meet the Queen for a Celebration of British Design.[citation needed]

The diffusion line Mimi Holliday was then founded in 2004[7] which went on to introduce Mimi Holliday Beachwear in 2008.[8] Evans oversaw both Damaris Ltd and Mimi Holliday Ltd going into administration in April 2019.[9][10]

References edit

  1. ^ "A 'penchant for the dramatic': Rothenstein and Modern Theatre – In Focus". Tate.
  2. ^ "Walter John Knewstub (1831-1906): An Overview". victorianweb.org.
  3. ^ "The History of Altair". Archived from the original on 23 September 2018. Retrieved 17 February 2011.
  4. ^ Cummings, Laura (14 November 2002). "Making Money from Lingerie, BBC News, Thursday 14th November 2002".
  5. ^ "Swinging Pants". Vogue (UK). 6 September 2001. Archived from the original on 25 May 2009. Retrieved 17 February 2011.
  6. ^ "BFC's Previous NEWGEN Recipients". britishfashioncouncil.co.uk.
  7. ^ "Knicker's You Can't Refuse, Evening Standard, 9th August 2004". Archived from the original on 5 May 2013.
  8. ^ "Damaris goes Swimming vogue.co.uk, 18th April 2008". Archived from the original on 27 March 2010. Retrieved 17 February 2011.
  9. ^ "DAMARIS LIMITED insolvency - Find and update company information - GOV.UK".
  10. ^ "MIMI HOLLIDAY LIMITED insolvency - Find and update company information - GOV.UK".

External links edit