Bill Gibb

Bill Gibb was one of the fashion industry's most talented and innovative designers. Born in a small rural village of New Pitsligo, and educated at Fraserburgh Academy, he studied fashion at St Martin's School of Art, London, and at the Royal College of Art.

Bill Gibb’s first taste of success came in 1967 when he was one of six young designers invited to present his work in New York. He soon gained international recognition for his cutting-edge fashion designs which incorporated a high degree of craftsmanship. In 1970 he was crowned Vogue’s Designer of the Year and in the same year London store Harrods opened a dedicated area for his collections, naming it ‘The Bill Gibb Room’. In 1972 he launched his own company and three years later opened his first shop on London’s Bond Street. Bill’s original and innovative designs, inspired by history and romance, propelled him into the international limelight. A collaboration with Kaffe Fassett on knitwear saw Bill gain further acclaim. His extravagant evening wear, often textured with print, pattern, embroidery, beadwork and leather, was favoured by many celebrities including Bianca Jagger, Elizabeth Taylor and fashion icon Twiggy. He fell victim to the late 1970s recession, but continued to work for private clients and on small-scale projects until his death in 1988.