Posted by highsociety in We were delighted to visit Alan Hannah’s new premises in London last Tuesday, and meet Princess Anne as she officially opened the new premises. It was a fabulous day and the workshop is exactly what you picture: covered in lace, silk and jewels, with industrious seamstresses handmaking their beautiful gowns.
Emma and Awen with Princess Anne
Here’s the press release:
Designer label Alan Hannah sits at the top end of the market and has delivered, for 20 years this year, collection after collection of superb wedding dresses – gowns fit for a princess. In 2008, Alan and Marguerite invested in a brand new unit in Enfield, bravely taking on what was, in effect, a shell, and poured their energies into creating a vast state-of-the-art space, where the light is brilliant, and the atmosphere warmly welcoming. Because the Hannahs have long-insisted on keeping every stage of production here in the UK, from design to construction to making, the right environment is crucial to their work. “We wanted to create a workspace that was not only perfect for our needs now but that would sevice us well for the next 20 years,” says Alan. From the shell building there has emerged a triumph of clear thinking, with a mezzanine area and lift to create a showroom above the main design and manufacturing area, where Marguerite and her team are currently preparing the new collection that will be unveiled at White Gallery in May.
Alan Hannah, Awen, Emma and Marguerite Hannah
On the 30 March, the new premises were officially opened by HRH The Princess Royal, President of UKFT (The UK Fashion & Textile Association), the organisation that keenly supports companies who manufacturer in the UK. The Royal guest was escorted around the working area by Marguerite and Alan, where she stopped to speak to to all of the staff, some of which have been with the Hannahs for two decades now. Upstairs in the showroom area, HRH then met the key retailers and representatives from the main bridal magazines who had been invited to join the celebration, as well as The Mayor of Enfield and the President of the BBA, Jo Sweeney.
Princess Anne officially opens the new premises
According to Alan, the highlight of the day came with the unveiling of the plaque and the official opening of the Hannahs’ new head quarters. “Mind you,” he said, “The Princess Royal did comment that it looked as though we had been open for some time before she arrived.”
Alan Hannah have been shortlisted in the final 3 for the High Octane Glamour award at the UKFT awards in May. This is the most prestigious awards in the UK fashion calendar and is attended by The Princess Royal. Click here for more on our Alan Hannah gowns!
