The red carpet doesn’t tell us everything about Maria Grachvogel..

Q:You are one of the UK’s iconic designers –how long have you been designing and what made you start in the industry?

I have been designing since I was about 12 years old - it was always my great passion and I have always been driven by a desire to make women feel fabulous. I love it when a woman puts her outfit on and instantly feel more glamorous and fabulous than they have ever felt…That is always such an amazing feeling.  I have been in business for 15 years and for the last 8 years I have had my own store on Sloane Street.

Q: What is the most exciting design commission you have had and from whom?

Possibly one of the most exciting commissions for me was from the Salvador Dali Estate when I was asked to create a dress specifically for the Dali exhibition on the South Bank. I love Dali’s work and was inspired to create a very special dress using my Artwork print technique. I designed and hand painted a dress that was very surreal with roots and trees rising up to become a spine and a pelvis and a body on pure silk.  It is definitely one of my favourite dresses.

Q: Tell me about the Magic Pants…a BKS ( Best Kept Secret)  for most women?

I always found it so difficult to find a pair of trousers that really fit and flattered my body, so I made it my mission to create a cut that really worked for a woman’s body. We always fit on real women rather than a fit model as I like to ensure all of my cutting works across as many body shapes as possible.
 
I have perfected the cut on my trousers over the years and they are without question the perfect shape - creating the ultimate silhouette. They come in different shapes to suit different body types and styles - skinny leg, palazzo and wide leg and some with a high waist.
 
I cut them as a single piece, removing the outside side seams so it’s lovely and flat across the hip area. The effect is that they lengthen the leg and lift the bottom.  They are my best selling piece and my regular customers buy a new pair every season in different colours.

Q:  Can you tell me about your new collection, the Sloane Street Store and any special events you have planned?

My Spring Summer Collection is inspired by the beautiful women in Hitchcock’s movies from the 1960s.  It is a very glamorous and sexy look but also quite demure for a confident and mysterious woman.  She is left bank chic and uptown elegance. She is glamorous and perfectly groomed. She is aristocratic, a little buttoned up but wonderfully sexy. 
 
The wonderful thing about my Sloane Street store is that I am able to get instant feedback on my new collection. I generally invite my best customers in during Fashion week and discuss what they will be buying next season. I also love being on the shop floor whenever possible and helping customers, It is a wonderful feeling to make women feel special when they try on my clothes.

Q: What would you really LOVE to have as a present under the tree at Christmas?
 
The very high Fendi Spat Boots….They are absolutely incredible!!

Thank you Maria .. I would love this dress under the tree for me please from your store!

Xmas BKS : Maria has her own collection of  Christmas presents in her store in Sloane Street:

For information on wholesale, press and to have a great shopping experience in a superb retail environment contact:
 
The Team at:
MARIA GRACHVOGEL
162 Sloane Street, London, SW1X 9BS
Tel : +44 (0) 20 7245 9331 Fax : +44 (0) 20 7245 9332
www.mariagrachvogel.com