Royal Mail celebrate Great British fashion with new stamp collection

 

May 15 sees the launch of the chicest set of stamps yet as Royal Mail pay homage to the greatest names in British fashion.

The stamps can be bought from royalmail.com/stamps

ALEXANDER MCQUEEN
Four-time winner of the "British Designer of the Year" Award between 1996 and 2003, the late Lee Alexander McQueen designer started off pursuing a line of internships with renowned tailors and then theatrical costumiers: Angels and Bermans. This raven-style, black feathered number reminds Alexander McQueen fans of these roots.

 

VIVIENNE WESTWOOD 

Appointed 'Dame' in 2006 for her contribution to the British fashion industry, Vivienne Westwood's stamp sports her signature tartan prints and flaming red hair.

OSSIE CLARK 

Having designed numerous outfits for Mick Jagger, including a python skin jumpsuit worn during the Rolling Stone's 1973 tour, it's no doubt Ossie Clark's stamp, printed by Celia Birtwell, will add zest to any envelope.

JEAN MUIR 

Making her name in the 1960s, Muir created a reputation for well tailored, feminine clothing. Learning her seamstress skills at Dame Alice Harper girls' school, Muir's attention to detail is demonstrated here in miniature form.

GRANNY TAKES A TRIP 

The Granny Takes a Trip boutique was opened on King's Road, Chelsea, by Nigel Waymouth, his girlfriend Sheila Cohen and John Pearse in February 1966. Among the first customers were the Beatles and the Rolling Stones, and their Granny's clothes can be seen on album sleeves for Revolver and Between the Buttons. The jacket featured on the stamp was worn by George Harrison in the 1960s.

ZANDRA RHODES 

Founder of the Fashion and Textile Museum in Bermondsey in 2003, Zandra Rhodes has designed for clients as diverse as Diana, Princess of Wales, Jackie Onassis, Elizabeth Taylor and Freddie Mercury. This gold ensemble seen here illustrates the diversity of her talent as a designer.

TOMMY NUTTER 

As the first tailor on Savile Row to open his shop to passers-by, Tommy Nutter was a pioneer in pushing suit sale when most tailoring was behind closed doors. Nutter dressed three of the four Beatles for the cover of Abbey Road and designed the three-piece suit that Jack Nicholson wore to play the villainous Joker in Tim Burton's 1989 "Batman" movie.

PAUL SMITH 

Beeston-born Sir Paul Smith's collections are usually easily identifiable by the iconic multicolour stripes that appear on items throughout all his collections. Staring small in his hometown of Nottingham, the designer has now gained a significant international following, particularly in Japan where his designs are coveted. He cites the opening of his shop in Japan as one the proudest moments of his career.

NORMAN HARTNELL 

Sir Norman Bishop Hartnell designed the Queen Mother's entire wardrobe for her 1938 royal tour. The 30 dresses later inspired Christian Dior when he put together the flattering yet functional tailoring collection which became known as the 'New Look' in 1947.

HARDY AMIES 

Best known for his work with the Queen Hardy Amies made fashion history in 1961 by staging the first men's ready-to-wear catwalk show in the UK, at the Savoy Hotel in London.

Designer Zandra Rhodes pictured behind-the-scenes adding the finishing touches to her creation in the studio.