13 Facts About Christopher McDonnell

Christopher McDonnell is a British fashion designer who operated in the UK between the 1960s and 1980s.

Christopher McDonnell studied architecture before moving on to a fashion degree at the Royal College of Art under Janey Ironside.

In 1967, Christopher McDonnell established his fashion business close to Sloane Square with two friends Peter and Mary-Anne Marrian acting as business partners.

Christopher McDonnell he'd co-founded was known as Marrian-McDonnell initially to reflect the business partnership, while in the US the brand was always known as Christopher McDonnell.

In 1970, as part of the short-lived London Designer Collections, Christopher McDonnell showcased his work in a fashion show alongside designs by, among others, Mary Quant, Ossie Clark, Alice Pollock, Thea Porter, Gina Fratini and Caroline Charles.

In 1973, the partnership with the Marrians was dissolved and McDonnell began trading in the UK under the brand name Christopher McDonnell Ltd, establishing a short-lived partnership with Graham Fraser.

That year, Christopher McDonnell produced a branded diffusion line for the raincoat maker Quelrayn, including embroidered cotton, velvet and seersucker coats.

In 1974, Christopher McDonnell's business was bought by the bank Slater Walker.

Christopher McDonnell had reduced his label's prices to compete in a market where increased manufacturing costs had narrowed the gap between high-end and high-street brands.

Christopher McDonnell had to negotiate to get his brand name back, as it was by then owned by Haw Par Corporation under the Singapore group umbrella.

Christopher McDonnell collaborated with coatmaker Andre Peters to produce a designer label collection, before working abroad for two years.

Christopher McDonnell returned to the UK in 1980 and produced a co-branded autumn collection for the couturier Mattli.

Christopher McDonnell continued working in the fashion industry before becoming a fashion academic at Savannah College of Art and Design.