The Candy Anthony Story
Childhood
“I loved nothing more as a child, than admire the grown-up fashions and artistic individuals of the seventies I was surrounded by and dream that I would one day own my little boutique filled with my designs and dresses.”
Candy Anthony was born and grew up in West London in the 1970’s at the end of the hippie movement. Since she can remember, her childhood world was always filled with music, art and fantasy. She loved drawing, painting and writing stories. Her parent’s and grandparents (British immigrants from the colonial Caribbean Islands in the 1950’s) lived in eclectic Notting Hill and were all lovers of clothing. Her parents greatly inspired, influenced and encouraged their daughter to ‘think outside the box’, stand out as an individual and pursue what she loved most; using her hands and imagination to make and create.
Fashion and Business Studies
“I work hard, I’m determined, focused and not a day in my life goes by without dreaming up and creating something.”
1993 at age twenty-two, Candy graduates in Fashion Design and Accessories from The University of the Arts (The London College of Fashion) where she is tutored in Cultural Studies, by the designer John Galliano. Fresh from design college and with a keen eye for commercial design and production, the young designer enrols in business school to pursue her dream of setting up her own fashion design company.
The Launch of the Label
“I love designing for real people and helping bring out their true, inner-selves. My work isn’t about transforming someone but just enhancing their best. This is what I was born to do, I love it and it’s what I’m truly good at. I can’t imagine doing anything else. I’m so grateful that my work is appreciated and that I was able to realise my dream in the first place.”
1996 Candy realises her dream of a lifetime and sets up her micro-boutique in Kensington, London. From there she launches her label Candy Anthony designing playful ranges of party wear which attracts and adorns many renowned celebrities and models of the time.
1998 Candy showcases her collections at international trade shows where she is nominated as one of ‘The Best Cutting Edge Talent in Britain’ selling her collections worldwide to independent boutique owners including Browns Boutique and throughout 25 international countries. That same year Candy meets her future husband designer-artist, Alex Di Silvestro and are soon to merge romance with business, as Alex becomes the Co-Creative Director of her label. The couple later marry in Italy and spend their working and personal life travelling and living between London, Brighton and Italy where the designer learns fluent Italian which will become a useful skill in running the business.
A Small Business
“The Best Of British” (Wedding Magazine)
“In 2004 we opened our boutique-atelier in London’s Southbank OXO Tower Wharf. I became greatly inspired by 1940’s/1950’s and 1960’s couture and spotting a gap in the bridal market for short and tea-length wedding dresses, we launched our first collection of Bridal and Evening Wear.”
Candy’s vision would become the catalyst for a successful, small business and the little label would soon become an important and leading brand in the wedding industry, attracting attention from fashion and wedding magazines, frequently appearing in Conde’ Nast publications, Harpers and Queen (Candy as Style Queen) and collaborating with important TV production broadcasters including the BBC and ITV.
2009 Candy Anthony proudly become one of the Breast Cancer Awareness Official Sponsors, a collaboration lasting for over 7 years.
2011 The small brand showcase their bridal range at The Saatchi Gallery, London.
2014 Candy Anthony is shortlisted for the Bridal Designer of the Year Award by You and Your Wedding magazine and that same year Grazia magazine nominate the small boutique as “One of London’s Best Wedding Dress Shops.”
2015 The company launch their Online Boutique . The collections of Bridal and Special Occasion gowns now become accessible to a worldwide audience and the brand sees a success in sales and exceptionally satisfied customers especially within the US market.
2016 Candy Anthony launch their range of bespoke shoes all handmade and crafted by highly skilled shoemakers in Italy.
2019 The Evening Standard select Candy Anthony as among the “Best Bridal Boutiques” in London.
Embracing Change and Challenges
“Running a small business today brings about many changes and challenges, but that’s the joy of living, creating and evolving. Thanks to the women who daren’t stop dreaming; aren’t afraid to embrace change and diversity; believe in a little magic and mystery and who are proud to represent the best of themselves during the loving and special moments of their lives, it’s you who have all made and will continue to make the running of this small business a beautiful reality.”
2020 brings about exciting change to the business. One month prior to COVID outbreaks and lockdowns, Candy Anthony relocate their Boutique-Atelier to the Costa Brava sea town of L’Escala in the province of Girona, between Barcelona and the Southern French border. Here Candy is found in her element designing, developing and producing collections of exclusive Bridal and Special Occasion gowns, tea length wedding dresses, short wedding dresses, vintage style wedding dresses, 1950s style wedding dresses, 1960s style wedding dresses and an individually handmade coordinated range of Veils & Accessories. All products are available to view and buy both in store and Online via private Zoom FREE Video Consultation with the designer, and shipped worldwide.
“I’m still essentially that five year old dreaming up dresses. The only difference is that my childhood make-believe world has become a reality for which I’m infinitely grateful.”