Nicole Farhi

Nicole Farhi is a British fashion label founded in London in 1983 by French-born designer Nicole Farhi and Stephen Marks. Developed within French Connection, the label brought a Mediterranean sensibility to British dressing, building its identity around natural fabrics and relaxed silhouettes. Its clothes offered a tactile approach to luxury, with comfort integral to their design.

Menswear launched in 1989, extending that philosophy into soft tailoring and knitwear. Jackets had a casual attitude, while texture gave simple combinations depth.

The Farhi by Nicole Farhi diffusion line broadened the offering, and a home collection extended the label’s interest in how people lived beyond their clothes. Shops incorporating restaurants made that connection tangible, presenting fashion as part of a wider domestic and social world.

French Connection sold the business to OpenGate Capital in 2010. The founding designer left in 2012 to concentrate on sculpture, bringing her involvement with the label to a close. Maxine Hargreaves-Adams acquired the business out of administration in 2013.

Appointed creative director in 2025, Richard Biedul leads the label’s return for fall-winter 2026. Compact collections for men and women revisit its emphasis on natural fibers, with shared pieces expanding the possibilities for wearing them. The revival returns Nicole Farhi to the everyday wardrobe, where the relationship between fabric and wearer first established its identity.