Catherine Walker

Catherine Walker (27 June 1945 – 23 September 2010) was a French-born fashion designer based in London. Born Catherine Marguerite Marie-Therese Baheux in Calais, France, Walker is known for having supplied over a thousand garments for Diana, Princess of Wales. Life and career Walker studied aesthetics and philosophy at the universities of Lille and Aix-en-Provence and achieved a master's degree. While studying for a PhD she moved to London and lived in Earl's Court. She became a permanent resident after marrying solicitor John Walker in 1970. The couple had two daughters. In 1975 John Walker died while on holiday in France. Her second husband was Said Cyrus from Iran, a lecturer at the Chelsea School of Art who also became her business partner. She began her life in fashion selling children’s clothes. She later moved into designing for women, specialising in high-end evening dresses, occasionwear and wedding gowns. In 1976 she set up her own company The Chelsea Design Company in Sydney Street, Chelsea. In 1991, Walker was awarded Designer of the Year for Glamour and in 1990 Designer of the Year for Couture at the British Fashion Awards. Walker was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1995. She became a founding sponsor of Breast Cancer Haven. Company Catherine Walker opened her business in 1977 in Sydney Street, London. She was a successful couturiere for over 30 years. Walker designed two seasonal collections per year, as well as wedding gowns and created a range of skincare products. Following her death, her husband Said Cyrus took over the business as head designer. He continues to run it with the same philosophy, focusing on bespoke garments for clients and eschewing runway shows, large marketing campaigns, and the wholesale trade.