A leading fashion designer has joined the Lake District Foundation as an ambassador.
Lee Paton is a bespoke couturier who has his own fashion house in London and is currently creating the first couture fashion house in Cumbria.
He grew up in Cumbria, trained at London College of Fashion, interned at Alexander McQueen and then worked on the famous London’s Savile Row.
He launched his own fashion house in 2010 and the brand’s work has been featured in many British and overseas publications including Vogue, Tatler, Harper’s Bazaar, InStyle, Elle and The Financial Times.
His clients are high-profile and include elite sportsmen and sportswomen, well-known musicians and actors to the members of several international royal families.
He is currently moving his business to Cumbria and has aspirations to develop the first Cumbria couture fashion house.
He hopes it will not only provide an opportunity to showcase what the area has to offer but also introduce visitors to other local crafts, businesses and industries.
Lee said: “It is my honour to represent the Lake District Foundation as business ambassador, allowing me to showcase the skills of the wonderful people, places and communities of England’s largest national park.
“With my background in an industry not usually associated with the region, I hope to offer a new perspective of what the Lake District has to offer and promote the foundation through my work to new international audiences.
“Growing up close to the rugged fells and peaceful tarns I have always been passionate about the romance, history and heritage of the Lake District, fascinated by the stories from its past, many of which have inspired my work.”
Lee currently works with several local Cumbrian farmers who exclusively provide Herdwick wool for him and he is planning his spring 2022 collection to be made of Cumbrian fabrics only.
Sarah Swindley, chief executive of Lake District Foundation, said: “We are pleased to welcome Lee as our new business ambassador alongside Dr Kate Rawles as our environmental ambassador, and Sean Conway as our adventure ambassador.
“Our ambassadors help us spread the word about our cause and we are excited to work with Lee to reach a new audience and offer a new voice on the work we deliver and achieve.
“We are particularly keen to explore the connection between Lee’s work, the Lake District’s craft heritage and environmental sustainability.”
The Lake District Foundation works with businesses, visitors and other donors to support conservation, environmental and cultural heritage projects and programmes of work to help look after the Lake District National Park.
Lee added: “The national park has been a place of creative motivation to historic artists of many forms and remains a region of immense inspiration through its remarkable beauty.
“The important work of the Lake District Foundation helps secure the future of a natural beauty that will continue to inspire generations for years to come and I am humbled to be able to play my part as a new addition to such a noble cause.”
The Lake District Foundation is a registered charity and is governed by a board of volunteer trustees including prominent representatives from the environment, business and tourism sectors in the Lake District and Cumbria.
