About Annabelinda

1966
Belinda Harty leaves St. Anne’s college, Oxford (where she was reading geography) before graduating, to work as a freelance dressmaker. With no formal training (taught by her mother to sew and adapt patterns) she makes clothes for friends and tutors . “Much more fun than writing essays “.
1967   Marries Redmond O’Hanlon. The couple move to Wales for a while as Redmond has been rusticated from Merton college for writing a novel. Later that year they return to Oxford so that Redmond can complete his degree, and Belinda can continue building up her dressmaking business.
1970   Belinda is joined by a friend, Anita Woodhead. They work out of a tiny room in Park End Street, Oxford. They call their new venture Annabelinda. They each put £100 and their sewing machines into the business.
1971   Annabelinda moves to larger premises - 6, Gloucester Street , Oxford, where it stands to this day. A little later Anita moves to Italy.
1971-72   The company is now buying Liberty fabrics each season, every time ordering a little more than the last
1972   Business increases and Belinda takes on her first designer and more sewers. The first wedding dress is made. ’The Annabelinda pinafore’ is designed.
1972/73   The company buys increasing amounts of fabrics from Liberty, and other silks companies as sales and orders increase.
1973   Annabelinda dresses are sold in the designer room at Liberty.
1974   More employees are taken on and a second designer joins the company.
1975   Annabelinda is commissioned by Liberty to design a dress for their centenary. The first hand-smocked garments are created. Hand-painting introduced.
1975-76   Annabelinda buys the first consignment of antique Chinese braids.
1976   The company produces its first hand embroidered pieces.
1977   Annabelinda is amongst the opening exhibitors at the Prescote Gallery in Oxfordshire. Georgina von Etzdorf prints silk chiffons especially for Annabelinda. Wedding dress production increases. Brides come from all over the country. Buys second consignment of antique Chinese braids.
1978   Annabelinda is included in the 1978 Fashion Guide. Liberty promotion - ‘The Suntrap pinafore’.
1978-79   Annabelinda using increasing quantities of Liberty Tana Lawns.
1979   Annabelinda concessions open in Liberty, in the Designer room and Bridal room. By the late 70s Annabelinda dresses are regularly being featured in the country’s leading fashion, bridal and lifestyle magazines. Liberty print silks especially for Annabelinda. Annabelinda dresses are sold through other London stores and in small outlets in England, America, Italy, Norway and Germany. The company buys complimentary products - appliquéd knitwear by Sally Hale, Penhaligons perfumes, and T shirts by Peppermint.
1980   The Liberty concessions become all consuming. Wedding orders constantly multiplying in Oxford and Liberty.
1981   Following the wedding of Lady Diana Spencer to the Prince of Wales, Annabelinda design its version of the dress, which proves very popular.
1982   Annabelinda is invited to show at the prestigious Berkeley Dress Show on the 19th April.
1983   Designs for Liberty’s 50s promotion using prints by Bernard Nevill receive a lot of media attention.
1985   Belinda’s first child is born. Annabelinda puts on an exclusive Fashion Show at the Randolph Hotel, Oxford, in aid of the NSPCC
1986   Nominated in the National Bridal Awards for hand-embroiderd dresses.
1988   Belinda’s second child is born.
1989   Late 80s - The company concentrates more on couture from this point. Delicate embroidery gives way to bolder appliqué work.
1990   Belinda closes the Liberty concessions.This brings a number of Liberty customers to the Oxford shop.
1991-93   The company starts to move away from traditional wedding dresses in favour of less conventional ensembles.
1995   Annabelinda launches a new range of silk brocade separates.
1996-99   Tailoring dominates through the 90s.
2000   Annabelinda stops using Liberty fabrics. Their long affiliation is over.
2001   The first retrospective exhibition is held in house at Gloucester Street to celebrate thirty years. Many long standing clients loan their favourite dresses. Annabelinda continues to seek the finest fabrics,and has an Italian textile manufacturer print especially for the company.
2002   From this point fabrics are sourced for individual clients guaranteeing exclusivity.
2006   Annabelinda puts on a Fashion Show in aid of charity at Chalgrove Manor at the kind invitation of Mr. & Mrs. Jacques.
2008   Annabelinda is invited by the Abingdon Museum to hold a retrospective exhibition.
2009   The Annabelinda spring/summer collection has a touch of nostalgia/vintage using some archive fabrics.
2009   June-July.
Annabelinda is invited by the Oxfordshire Museum at Woodstock to present another retrospective exhibition.
November.
Vintage Annabelinda opens at 6, Gloucester Street, with many original pieces from the 70s, 80s and 90s going on sale.
2010   Spring.
Vintage AB is proving very successful and collectable.
Liberty Tana Lawns and silks are in use again in the current collection and bespoke commissions.
Summer.
AB starts collaborating with water-colour artist Janet Edwards on a collection of delicate silk prints.
The Vintage rooms expand.
Wedding dress orders increase.
2011   Annabelinda is now 40 years old!
Annabelinda at the Oscars. Lois Cahall, writer/journalist wears Annabelinda to the 83rd Annual Academy Awards Ceremony in Los Angeles on February 27th.
2011   'Flora' - the first wedding dress using Janet Edwards botanical silk chiffon is created. Annabelinda has exclusive use of the fabric.
2012   January - Belinda announces her imminent retirement and closure of Annabelinda after 41 years.