Witty, whimsical and earthy, Allegra Hicks’ space reflects her chic style. The most vibrant, serene living areas evolve slowly as we fill them with possessions that reflect our passions. And it’s these details that mark a place and make it special. Hicks designs all her own fabrics, both for fashion and interiors and is credited with reinventing the caftan, making it into a signature global garment ready to be worn at home or on the beach. Her new lifestyle store in Belgravia, London, symbolises her persona, using strong patterns and motifs with a free range of colours.

Collaboration and evolution
“The new fashion line is a continuation of my spirit and my feeling for fashion. I am collaborating with two modernist designers; the fabrics are designed by me, using strong colours and are very directional, whilst comprising all the details that I want to add to the shape of the garment, making it younger and cooler, but still with an attitude and style that make it a signature design of my line.”

Travels and textiles
“I am a textile designer from Turin and the moment you talk about textiles you think of India. I think India is the empress of natural textiles. The sophistication of textiles in India is unsurpassable. There is nowhere else in the world where – from the poorest sari fabric to the most complicated embroidered weave – you will find anything better! I have a great understanding of the way fabric is made. My fabric is organic and not ‘ethnic Indian’ but compatible with the Indian counterparts. I find India hugely inspiring; I adore the country and the way people live and interact with each other. I find it very similar to the Italian way.
“Italians and Indians are overt and similar, they love to talk about themselves and get emotional easily. I have travelled extensively all over India and am fascinated by the history and religions. There is so much to see and learn from the Jain temples in Jaisalmer, the extraordinary Hindu places of worship in Varanasi and the old Buddhist sights. The whole experience gives you a 360º view on life, which is necessary for me.”

Awe of the greats
“Madame Chanel was one of the most inspiring women of her time because she was both fierce and free and worked for herself. She was endowed with natural talent that made her global. Talent is one of the most inspiring things in life and not everybody has it, but it’s amazing to see it in those who possess it.
“I love Paul Poiret and his extraordinary use of embroidery. He understood its intricacies. A lot of different talents are inspiring in different fields. Recently at the British Museum, I viewed an extraordinary exhibition of Indian Mughal miniatures from Jodhpur and they inspired my work. I think I am also influenced by the way my parents brought me up – with a sense of being open, receptive, humble and disciplined.”

A quieter luxury
“I opened my new store in Belgravia in London. It’s a new concept with smaller and more intimate collections and definitely more precious than before. My idea of luxury is to keep it exclusive and less publicised. It has to be more discreet. It’s obscene to be on a waiting list for three years to get something made for you! There is an understated luxury in things that are timeless.”

Leading ladies
“My clients include Brooke Shields, Gwyneth Paltrow, Lady Helen Taylor, Jerry Hall and Jemima Khan amongst many others.”

More coming up
“I want to open more outlets of my lifestyle stores in other cities. I also want to design my own jewellery collection. India has amazing possibilities from the creative point of view because anything can be implemented in a direct way through the small cottage industry workshops.”

All in the family
“My two daughters are very good editors of my work. know that it will work when I have designed something and my 17-year-old asks if she can borrow it. My younger daughter is more interested in the artistic side – earlier she would look at my drawings and try to do something similar but different, which gave me ideas. They are very interested in and happy with what I do. In life it’s very important for a woman to have her own identity, be true to herself and try to fulfill her dreams.
There were big changes for me in the past year – I got divorced and it was important to keep faith in the truth and have the courage to live with it.”

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