13. Catherine Walker

Catherine Walker (27 June 1945 – 23 September 2010) was a French born fashion designer based in London. Born as Catherine Marguerite Marie-Therese Baheux in the Pas-de-Calais, France, she was noted for having supplied over 1,000 outfits for Diana Princess of Wales who was buried in a black dress designed by Walker

Walker studied Aesthetics and Philosophy at the universities of Lille and Aix-en Province and achieved a Master's degree. While studying for a PhD she moved to London and lived in Earl's Court.She became a permanent resident after marrying solicitor John Walker in 1970. The couple had two daughters. In 1975 John Walker was killed in an accident. Her second husband was Said Ismael from Iran, a lecturer at the Chelsea School of Art who also became her business partner.

Princess Diana

She began her commercial life selling children’s clothes. She later moved into designing for women, specialising in high-end evening dresses, occasionwear and wedding dresses. In 1976 she set up her own company Chelsea Design Company in Sydney Street, Chelsea. In 1991, Walker was awarded Designer of the Year for Glamour and in 1990 Designer of the Year for Couture. Walker was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1995, and was treated surgically. She became a founding sponsor of Breast   Cancer Haven