1928-1995

Website: www.jeanmuir.co.uk

Another website where you can read much more about Jean Muir, is www.jeanmuir.info

Jean Muir was born in London in 1928 although she was by heritage a Scot. By the time she was 6 years old, she could knit, sew and embroider. As a teenager, she made all her own clothes. Her first job at the age of 15 was at Liberty, selling clothes and then she worked for Jaeger from 1956 to 1961. She married Harry Leuckert.

In 1961, she began to produce her own clothing line under the name Jane and Jane. In 1966 she founded her own company, Jean Muir Ltd.

She had ideas on female dress that went far beyond the fashion commonplace of hem lengths. She loved the physical craft of making clothes and observed the changing role of women in the 20th century through the medium of the engineering of fabric.

She created clothes that once put on, could be forgotten, they were so comfortable. She had integrity and devotion to her craft, she had the courage of her convictions. She was never swayed by the surface glitter of fashion and its need for change, because she always dealt in essentials.

From 1966 when she started her own label, she designed clothes offering her disciplined vision of perfect style in navy or black matte jersey, sometimes sparked with colour, but more often just structured beautifully.

Jean was very much inspired by classical Greek and Roman garments, using the draping in her own gowns. Here on the left is a red silk jersey short dress from 1980 which has one-shoulder draping in the Greek style. This gown was included in the exhibition "Goddess" at the Metropolitan Museum of New York, in Autumn 2003.

Jean Muir was a craftswomen of the highest caliber, who gained an international reputation. Though rarely in the forefront of fashion, her clothes had a nonchalant, easy elegance and a timeless, classic appeal.

Jean Muir died in 1995.

After her death, her clients were sad that they would no longer be able to get the beautiful clothes Jean Muir had made for them, for so many years.

However, she had trained up a very competent team including Sinty Stemp and Joyce Fenton, who have continued to make her exquisite fine jersey originals. They are continually developing her understated sophisticated heritage for a contemporary lifestyle. The team's talent will take Jean Muir's designs into the 21st century.

Spring/Summer 2003

The house of Jean Muir participated in London Fashion Week in September 2002, showing the Spring/Summer 2003 collection. Here on the right, is a check suit from that show.

Autumn/Winter 2003

The Jean Muir team took part in the London Fashion Week held in February 2003, and on the left is an outfit from the Winter 2003 collection.

The plum and red colours look sensational, and the neat collection of wrap dresses and great leather coats made it perfect for Autumn. Little buttons running down the seams on many dresses made them look really sexy. The house of Jean Muir is still in the forefront of fashion.

Spring/Summer 2004

During London Fashion Week in September 2003, the House of Jean Muir showed her collection for next Spring. A lilac tie-belted coat from the show is shown on the right.

The team delivered ladylike classics such as fine cashmere knits in duck-egg blue, pencil skirts, pretty chiffon print dresses and clean-cut wide-legged trousers. The evening wear was slinky black jersey with a lean etiolated silhouette.

Autumn/Winter 2004

The house of Jean Muir Autumn/Winter collection was shown in London during Fashion Week in February 2004. Her design team kept to the charm and demure feel of Jean's signature style. Slim tweed skirts, shapely peplum jackets, trim high-waist coats and jersey dresses all appeared. Modern touches were added, such as fur boleros and the girl in houndstooth check came out with a hound on a leash. Neat little evening sweaters and matching scarves gave an attractive touch. Lilac is the colour this season, and it popped up for neat little skirt suits.

Spring/Summer 2005

During London Fashion Week in September 2004, the team at the house of Jean Muir showed their collection for next Spring. An outfit from the show is shown on the right.

The collection was full of pastel ice-cream colours, like spearmint and strawberry. The pleated skirts were particularly eye-catching.

Jean Muir's Heritage

Jean Muir's husband Harry Leuckert is continuing her heritage for the house they founded together. He has opened a new store at 48 Conduit Street, London, which will carry on selling clothes in the Muir tradition of impeccable cutting with a soft fluidity.

Autumn/Winter 2005

The Autumn/Winter collection for the house of Jean Muir was shown during London Fashion Week in February 2005. Her team presented keep-warm separates, some with Picasso-type logos on the front. Wool blazers and wrap-around coats and A-line skirts were shown. Suede was a key fabric in rust and grey colours. A fringed caftan was fashioned from a printed silk scarve. Here on the left is one of her red evening looks.

Spring/Summer 2006
London Fashion Week

The Jean Muir design team presented her Spring/Summer 2006 collection during London Fashion Week in September 2005. A smart geometric print coat from the collection is shown on the right.

The house always makes classic beautiful clothes just right for summer. Crepe skirts in delicate shades of stone grey, dove grey and camel tones were used. Dresses were ruffled with a fifties swing. Bracelet sleeved shift dresses had a sure fit. Roman Holiday style circular skirts were a hit.

2005