Quiet luxury may have become fashion's most overused phrase, but Amanda Wakeley has been creating her inimitable version of it since she launched her business 35 year ago.
In fact, Amanda has always designed for women who want to look sleek, confident and glamorous. Diana, Princess of Wales understood that. So does Helen Mirren, Demi Moore and Angelina Jolie. Amanda has always understood it herself, though she calls her style dna "clean, glam and sportif" and swerves "quiet luxury" altogether.
As a young fashion editor in the noughties, I remember Amanda's London Fashion Week shows as the epitome of sleek glamour. While everyone else competed for outrageous front page fashion moments, Amanda showed truly beautiful clothes. Looking back, she was a trailblazer.
Today Amanda still creates beautiful clothes, but in her day-to day life she's now talking less about the garments themselves and more about how to use style as a tool for maximum confidence. We at Good Housekeeping are totally here for that.
Amanda Wakeley Paisley Print V-Neck Maxi Dress, Beige/Black
Amanda Wakeley Paisley Print V-Neck Maxi Dress, Beige/Black
In 2022 Amanda launched her podcast, Style Dna, where she has interviewed over 100 celebrities and taste-makers about their style and has a new book inspired by the podcast, Style DNA: How to Dress with Confidence. She's even ventured onto YouTube where she hosts the often hilarious Friday Night Fashion with former Glamour magazine editor, Jo Elvin.
So it's no surprise, then, to find her range with John Lewis is end-to-end confidence giving - and gorgeous - clothes.
Sophia Airshirt Semi Sheer Pure Silk Long Wrap Shirt
Sophia Airshirt Semi Sheer Pure Silk Long Wrap Shirt
Amanda Wakeley Fringe V-Neck Wool Rich Cape, Navy
Amanda Wakeley Fringe V-Neck Wool Rich Cape, Navy
Amanda Wakeley Fringe Wool Rich Maxi Skirt, Navy
Amanda Wakeley Fringe Wool Rich Maxi Skirt, Navy
Nothing in the collection is designed to dominate you, the person behind the clothes; yet each piece can slip in and raise the bar. Her fluid pure silk wrap "air" shirt which Amanda designed a decade ago and wears religiously herself, has the ease of a shirt but the presence of a dress. The paisley maxi has that unmistakable Amanda knack of looking super glam yet easy to wear.
Amanda Wakeley Mongolian Faux Fur Jacket, Toffee
Amanda Wakeley Mongolian Faux Fur Jacket, Toffee
The fluffy Mongolian jacket will take dark denim jeans and a T-shirt to another level, while, my favourite, the navy fringed wool cape and matching skirt will bring confident swish to both an office or evening look.
Amanda Wakeley Merino Wool Blend Crew Neck Tie Detail Jumper, Pink
Amanda Wakeley Merino Wool Blend Crew Neck Tie Detail Jumper, Pink
Make no mistake, these are considered purchases. But that's the point. Amanda has never designed for one season. She designs for the woman who'd rather buy one brilliant thing than five forgettable ones.
That's why these five pieces stand out for me. Not only because they're elegant, sleek and stylinh, but because I can imagine wearing every one of them in five years' time and feeling confident doing it. And so could you.
