Matthew Williamson to introduce baby wear

British designer Matthew Williamson is preparing to expand his eponymous label's current product range with a new addition: baby wear. His mother, Maureen Williamson, has officially joined his fashion house, after helping Williamson start his business after his graduation from Central

Saint Martins by sewing his designs. She has created the first pieces of the baby wear line, which will be available in Matthew Williamson's stores.

Baby

wear line created by Matthew Williamson's mother, Maureen

“My mum first sta rted knitting when I was born, then more recently she started making baby bonnets for friends and they went down a treat,” said Matthew to British Vogue. “She took inspiration for the colours from my first collection and now she's got a little waiting list! I may pop them in my Mayfair store towards the end of the summer.”

The first collection for the line is said to have been inspired by Williamson's first show in 1997, entitled 'Electric Angels', and her son's namesake book. Consisting of brightly colored, knitted cashmere hats and booties, the baby wear line is handed knitted by Maureen herself.

“I get great pleasure knitting for babies and little ones,” added Maureen, who revealed that the thought came to her whilst she was reading her son's book. “I was recently browsing through it and loving the colours, especially the Electric Angels show. I just thought how cool to have a little bonnet in the colours, tried it and had a brilliant reaction and great feedback.”

"My mum has always been a huge inspiration for me and my work,” said Matthew. “She loves fashion and has always been so supportive. She even worked at our Bruton Street store for a while a few years back and loved every minute of it.”

The designer has hinted that the baby wear collection may lead to a fully fledged childrenswear line some time in the near future. “My womenswear line would translate well into childrenswear,” he adds, and with his mother's guidance, who knows what may come next for the fashion label.