Marion Foale British artist and fashion designer Date of Birth: 13.03.1939 Country: Great Britain

1. Early Life and Education
2. Royal College of Art
3. Royal Robe for the Order of the British Empire
4. Foale and Tuffin
5. Swinging London
6. Later Years

Early Life and Education

Marion Foale was born in London on March 13, 1939. Her artistic talents were evident at a young age, and after completing her schooling, she enrolled at the Walthamstow School of Art. However, after two years, she realized that her passion for art could not sustain her financially, prompting her to switch to a design school.

Royal College of Art

In 1959, Foale was selected as one of a select few students from fashion design schools across the country to undertake a three-year course at the Royal College of Art under Professor Janey Ironside. She specialized in three-dimensional pattern cutting and the behavior of different fabrics on dress forms.

Royal Robe for the Order of the British Empire

During her second year at the Royal College, Foale was commissioned to design a royal robe for the Queen to wear at investitures of the Order of the British Empire. The previous honorees had always been men, but as Her Majesty did not wear trousers, a special female garment was required. Several designs were submitted, but it was Foale's creation that was chosen and is still worn by the Queen today.

Foale and Tuffin

Foale and fellow Royal College student Sally Tuffin became fashion icons of the 1960s cultural and fashion revolution. They graduated in 1961 and soon launched their own label, 'Foale and Tuffin,' after showing two of their dresses to a buyer from a major department store. The young designers took over three floors of a narrow townhouse on Carnaby Street, focusing on creating playful clothes that catered to their contemporaries, in contrast to the more formal Parisian styles.

By 1963, Foale and Tuffin had realized their entrepreneurial dreams and were running a successful business without the assistance of backers. A photograph of one of their dresses, which they used to display in their shop window, appeared in 'Vogue' magazine, sparking the admiration of the fashion world. The dress was featured in 'Vogue's' 'Young Ideas' section, photographed by renowned British photographer David Bailey.

Swinging London

Foale and Tuffin became part of the vibrant scene of Swinging London, and by 1963, they had outgrown their small premises. They found a suitable space in the small cul-de-sac Marlborough Court, just off Carnaby Street. The business expanded rapidly, prompting the opening of a boutique. With the rise of London's youth fashion scene came the attention of Americans, and Foale and Tuffin, along with Mary Quant and Betsey Johnson, were granted licenses by the 'Puritan Fashion Corporation' under the label 'Paraphernalia,' which they then promoted extensively in America.

Later Years

In 2009, ACC Publishing Group released 'Foale and Tuffin: The Sixties. A Decade in Fashion' by Ian R. Webb. In the 1970s, Foale's business declined as she married and had children. However, as her children grew older and financial pressures mounted, she ventured into knitwear design despite having no prior knowledge or experience with knitting. Hand-knitted garments were a wardrobe staple at the time, and Foale set out to create timeless designs with an emphasis on detail and craftsmanship. She soon realized the untapped market and founded 'Foale Ltd.'

In 1985, Foale published a book of knitting patterns that were simple enough for hobbyists to follow at home, featuring multi-colored and textured designs. In 1987, she opened a shop on Hinde Street.