Fashion and textile design and styling

The Table Dresser story from fashion design to table dressing is interesting and varied. My personal career in the fashion and textile industry began when I managed my own label designing fashion and textiles, selling  collections Internationally to  stores such as Saks, Macys, Henri Bendel, Bergdorf Goodman, Wilkes Bashford, Burberry, Takashimaya, Liberty and Browns to name but a few.

‘1000 Dresses’

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With a background in design, retailing, lecturing and writing, I co-authored a book ‘1,000 Dresses’ published by both Thames and Hudson, London and Barons in New York. Over the years I have designed and styled for TV, film and magazines and dressed many well know celebrities. My fashion background means that I am always up to date with current trends and have an eye for design, detail and colour.

Obsession with collecting vintage china and embroidery

A life-long love of ceramics and textiles both historical and contemporary led me in search of galleries, flea-markets, vintage fairs and charity shops, seeking out treasures which led to collecting, buying and selling over the years. My passion soon became an obsession and getting out the best vintage china has marked family birthdays, christenings and anniversaries over the years.

The ritual of laying the table and choosing the theme has always been planned for meticulously and the soundtrack of clinking teaspoons on bone-china over chatter and laughter constantly accompanied happy events.

The idea of hiring vintage china tableware was born over tea and cakes

The love of vintage runs in the family as my two beautiful daughters Scarlett and Paisley often dressed the table to impress their friends who, in turn, adored the dramatic settings and came to tea or drank Prosecco from teacups on a regular basis. Suddenly one day over tea and cakes the idea and blueprint of ‘The Table Dresser’ was born. The proposition to hire out the china and tableware and style and dress the venue for parties and celebrations seemed so obvious, offering others the opportunity to experience and enjoy what we have always been so lucky to take for granted.

We hope you like our story and that you will also share some lovely memories using our vintage china and tableware to set a beautiful scene for your own special occasions.