Charles and Patricia Lester have established an international reputation for their textile and couture fashion.
Their collection of evening dresses and gowns are coutured one at a time in their studios in Wales.
All the fabrics that they use are dyed and printed by hand.
Their secret pleating process (reminiscent of "Fortuny") is carried out by hand,
a process that is exclusive to themselves.
As designers they have the unique position of being able to couture the cloth
as well as the designer clothes they make.
Each piece of fabric is hand painted, hand printed or pleated by hand,
the fabric is then made into romantic and rare gowns and dresses.
These designer garments are not made in volume as the time it takes,
from the first painting layers of color onto the cloth to the finished garment, limits the number possible.
A select number of their evening and day wear pieces are 'one of a kind'.
Even the luxurious accessory collection of shawls and scarves is not produced in any volume
Their unique work as a couture fashion design team is admired and collected by Royalty
and icons of the film, opera and pop music world -
those who appreciate the aesthetic luxuriant quality of the wearable art pieces that they design and make!
Patricia Lester the fashion designer.
Early in her career, the fabric that was available was synthetic she wanted to work with their own hand dyed textiles,
which is only possible on natural fibres.
They experimented with traditional techniques of tie-dye and batik and although these fabrics were interesting,
they did not fulfil their desire to have something totally unique.
One of their experiments eventually evolved into the pleated silk that became their hallmark.
Originally intended as a dying technique - the fabric being pleated, dyed and then ironed out -
giving a fascinating tree-bark effect -
it seemed a shame to flatten the pleats which had an interesting fluid quality.
They had not heard of the artist Fortuny whose pleated work has been compared to their,
so to them this technique was original and indeed it is nothing like Fortuny's work
having a fluidity that is uncharacteristic of the straighter more rigid Fortuny pleating.
Their first major wholesale client was a small exclusive shop - 'Smiths of Bath' -
Harrods of Knightsbridge then bought a collection.
At this time the fashion was for dramatic ball gowns
their simple columns of pleated silk were very different from any other designer's work.
hand-painted using special techniques of dye application.
The unusual qualities of the fabrics used - notably their hallmark hand-pleating -
allow the clothes to mold to the shape of the body.
Simple designs, fluid tailoring, and the unusual qualities of the fabrics
epitomize the refined style of Charles and Patricia Lester.
Their clothes are worn by celebrities including Princess Michael of Kent,
Barbara Streisand and Elizabeth Taylor and have featured in opera and film productions,
including 'The Wings of a Dove', as well as
in the Victoria & Albert Museum's 1997 exhibition 'The Cutting Edge: Fifty Years of British Fashion'.
They are now famous for their extraordinary designs, beading and craftsmanship!
But it remains a highly specialized and collectible collection manufactured in very small quantities.
Patricia Lesters uniquely sensuous clothes are
brilliant examples of how art and fashion can converge.
Her Couture Fashion Collections take the soul and vision of an artist
& blend them with the dramatic flair of a fashion designer.
Her extraordinary Devore' Patterned "Burn-Out" Velvets transport you to the Vogue covers by ERTE'
>Every once in a while a designer makes something that is artistically and esthetically on a higher plane.
It is generally not a commercial design,
certainly, not everyone would wear it,
but an item that
gives your breath wings
when you see it . . .
or touch it. . . . .
Here is such a piece!
At long last the Rich Turquoise Blue 2-Pc Charles & Patricia Lester has arrived and it is a beauty.
It features a deep Vee neckline both front and back with a fairly wide shoulder strap so that you can still wear a regular bra.
It is a hand-dyed silk and shows a subtle tinge of Blues, Greens and purples amidst the Turquoise.
With Accents of Tiny matching Aurora Crystal Beading edging the neckline & across the decolletage
Sleeveless
Because of the extraordinary pleating of the material the hemlines dance as though they were wired.
The color of this was very difficult to photograph.
It is both subtle and dynamic
22" Long from Shoulder to Hemline
Can be stretched to almost any size without cupping the body
Because of the pleating there is almost unlimited stretch
Donned over the head
This is not sized.
The silk edging around the top edge measures 40" and this is above the bustline
And this is the only measurement that counts
Will fit a Size 4-14 perfectly
We LOVE this worn with the Long Pleated Matching Turquoise LESTER Skirt
>Here is a lush Turquoise Silk Hand Pleated Long Slimline Skirt
Also hand dyed with additions of Blues, Greens and Purples
It is the PERFECT mate Long Skirt to the above tunic.
This was made as an ensemble
Elastic Waistband 28" adjustable to 58"
43" Long
Because of the extraordinary pleating of the hemlines dance as though they were wired.
Can be stretched to almost any size without cupping the body
Because of the pleating there is almost unlimited stretch
This will be as fabulous worn with the LESTER Devore' Velvet Kimono Jacket featured separately!
But can be worn with a fabulous shawl or a great jacket of any kind!
Sorry, the photos do not do this piece justice
The Silk Plisse is Lush rich Turquoise, with Blues, Greens, and Purple and the pleating is simply extraordinary!
The soft lush exotic coloration of the ensemble makes it wearable all year round!
This Plisse Skirt and Top retail for about $9,500.00 NEW
For those of us who adore the ease & mastery of Zoran and the whimsy and craftsmanship of Marian Clayden
The extraordinary Masteryry of Design and Fabrication
This is a winning option!
And a piece of fashion history!
CHARLES & PATRICIA LESTER Fashion Pieces have been
and continue to be collected in Art-to-Wear museums all over the world!
This Plisse Skirt and Top retail for about $9,500.00 NEW
For those of us who adore the ease & mastery of Zoran and the whimsy and craftsmanship of Marian Clayden
The extraordinary Masteryry of Design and Fabrication
This is a winning option!
And a piece of fashion history!
CHARLES & PATRICIA LESTER Fashion Pieces have been
and continue to be collected in Art-to-Wear museums all over the world!