Richard Nott (b.1947) and Graham Fraser (b.1948) formed the design company Workers For Freedom in 1985.
Richard had previously been assistant designer to Valentino in Rome and later Principal Lecturer at Kingston University and Graham a fashion buyer and fashion director at Liberty of London. They decided to create a designer label together.
The name was chosen because Richard and Graham were both working for large organisations and wanted to break away from the constraints that brings and to work for themselves with “Freedom”. Workers for Freedom was primarily known for its quality and its unique use of embroideries on both women’s and men’s clothing, initially using cotton, silk and wool in a neutral palette of white, black, indigo and brown.
The label sold internationally and in 1989 was awarded the British Fashion Council’s accolade of Designer of the Year presented by Princess Diana at the Albert Hall. After fourteen years Nott and Fraser decided to sell the company to their Chinese manufacturers. The label continues today mainly in the USA producing a completely different kind of apparel.
Provided by Graham Fraser
From a 1986/1987 silk shirt
Courtesy of bigchief173
