Fashion world in shock as Scottish designer who dressed Princess Kate, Michelle Obama and host of Hollywood A-listers finds label on brink of administration

• Christopher Kane’s clothing brand filed intention to appoint insolvency experts
• The company is looking for debt refinance or sale of the business and its assets

He is the Scottish darling of the fashion world and has dressed the Princess of Wales, Michelle Obama and a host of Hollywood A-listers.

But now Christopher Kane – who rose from modest beginnings in a Lanarkshire village to become an award-winning designer – is on the verge of putting his company into administration.

The 40-year-old founded his label along with his sister Tammy Kane in 2006 and it became a firm favourite of some of the world’s most stylish women, counting Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour among its fans.

Kane created a bespoke coat dress and hat for the Princess of Wales to wear to a Buckingham Palace garden party in 2017.

She also wore one of his scarlet pleated skirts to give a speech at a charity event in 2021.

But now Christopher Kane (left) – who rose from modest beginnings in a Lanarkshire village to become an award-winning designer – is on the verge of putting his company into administration

Kane created a bespoke coat dress and hat (pictured) for the Princess of Wales to wear to a Buckingham Palace garden party in 2017

Mrs Obama wore one of his black midi-dresses with embroidered flowers when she visited 10 Downing Street in 2015 while she was United States First Lady.

Celebrities such as Cate Blanchett, Alexa Chung, Anne Hathaway and Emma Watson have also all been photographed wearing his designs.

Kane has also become known for his crystal-embellished gowns and clutch bags filled with gel to give a jelly effect.

But the retail brand has faced financial challenges and is battling for survival after filing its intention to appoint insolvency experts from FTS Recovery as administrators.

The company announced that it had filed the notice in a last-minute bid to help it secure a rescue plan which could involve refinancing or a new buyer.

Kane grew up in Newarthill, Lanarkshire, as the youngest of five siblings and set his heart on becoming a fashion designer when he was only 13.

Pictured: Alexa Chung wearing a Christopher Kane outfit in London, 2015

Pictured: Dua Lipa wearing a Christopher Kane outfit at the Brit Awards in 2019

British Vogue described him yesterday as ‘one of the most exciting, irreverent names on the London show schedule’.

It said ‘the news about his company came as a blow to the industry and fashion fans alike’. 

It went on: ‘Kane’s ability to push the boundaries of taste through unconventional cuts and fabrications resulted in collections that still resonate today.

‘And not all fashion talents possess his remarkable ability to dress such an eclectic mix of clients, from FKA Twigs to Alexa Chung, Michelle Obama to Kate Middleton.’

The French luxury goods firm Kering, which also owns Gucci and Alexander McQueen, bought a 51 per cent stake in the company in 2013 but sold it back to its founders five years later.

Yesterday a spokesman for Christopher Kane Limited said: ‘The board of Christopher Kane Limited has recently resolved to file a notice of intention to appoint FTS Recovery as administrators. 

This difficult decision has been reached to give the company sufficient time to implement a rescue plan.

‘Key stakeholders have been notified. A period of accelerated marketing activity will now follow, with a view to locating potential interested parties to either refinance the company’s existing debt, or alternatively locate a purchaser for the business and assets.’

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