User:Sarahjane nolan/Damaris Evans

Damaris Alice Turle Evans (born 18th March 1975) is a British fashion designer and creative director and owner of demi-couture lingerie labels Damaris and Mimi Holliday.

Background
Evans is the daughter of writer, James Martin Evans and artist, Frances Rachel Evans (Holiday). She is sister to Dr. Chloe Evans and half sister to Juliet Evans and journalist, Rosie Mellor.

She is the great granddaughter of Sir William Rothenstein, who was Principal of The Royal College Of Art from 1920 to 1935. Her great uncles were Sir John Rothenstein, the director of The Tate Gallery from 1938 to 1964 and the English printmaker Michael Rothenstein.

Evans is the niece to sculptor, Ros Newman whose father, Dr. Ensor Holiday, writer, scientist, mathematician and psychologist invented Altair Designs. Holiday worked alongside Roger Burrows in the 1970's and was a contemporary of Albert Einstein. His wife, Betty Holiday who studied at The Royal College Of Art, was a sculptor and a contemporary of Henry Spencer Moore and Dame Barbara Hepworth.

Evans is the niece to Nick Elliott, who was the Director of Drama for ITV from 1966 to 2007.

Career
Damaris Evans studied Fashion Design with Print Making at Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design. In 2001, she started the business with a £5,000 loan from The Prince's Trust. The designer is best known for creating the original trademark design of the back bow knicker, which 'instantly sparked a craze of copies'. 'Likeness of the bow knicker were spotted in New Look, River Island, La Perla and up-market underwear brand Myla' whom the company has successfully settled out of court with.

Damaris' first collection showcased at London Fashion Week September 2001 and was sponsored by The Prince's Trust.

Damaris was showcased at London Fashion Week's New Generation, Sponsored by The British Fashion Council in September 2003 and February 2004.

The diffusion line Mimi Holliday was then founded in 2004 which went on to introduce Mimi Holliday Beachwear in 2008.

Damaris' received an Elle Style Award for 'Young Enterprise of the Year' for the Spring/Summer 2003 collection. In 2005 she was invited to Buckingham Palace to meet the Queen for a Celebration of British Design.