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London, Sep 27, 2001/ FWD/ --- Katharine Hamnett may have cancelled her London Fashion Week show, but that
doesn't mean she's resting on her laurels. The British designer has produced a new set of her famous political
message tees in record time.
In light of the terrorist attacks in the U.S., she's come up with "No War" (which she modeled personally at
friend Jasper Conran's show last week), "Women Against War" and "Life Is Sacred." A portion of the proceeds
from the shirts will be donated to the Afghan Refugee Appeal.
Hamnett first made a name for herself on the political fashion scene when she appeared at a 1983 Downing Street
reception hosted by Margaret Thatcher sporting a T-shirt that read "58% Don't Want Pershing." That same year her
"Choose Life" tees were worn by 80s pop sensation Wham!.
A year later, when Hamnett sent Joseph a shipment of her "U.S. Go Home" (read: Get Out of Nicaragua) T-shirts,
the upscale retailer sent it back (she proceeded to create quite a ruckus passing them out for free at Greenham
Common). Joseph apparently has no hard feelings though, as its stores, along with Harvey Nichols, will be carrying
Hamnett's new collection for her relaunched high-end line, Katherine Hamnett London.
Other Hamnett protest tees have included everything from "Stop Acid Rain" to "Feel Yourself Every Month,"
in response to the rise in breast and testicular cancer.
The 53-year-old designer was set to return to London Fashion Week this season for the first time in several years.
In 1990, she headed to Paris after she says the British Fashion Council "wanted me to show in a f***ing car park."
Hamnett decided to cancel the show, however, following the terrorist attacks in the U.S. "Fashion shows are happy
events. They're entirely frivolous and it's not the right time for that now," she was quoted as saying. She
commended those designers who were going on though: "It's good of them to do it. But I just didn't see how I
could do it, that's all."
Paul Smith, Burberry, Justin Oh, Clements Ribeiro and Nicole Farhi called off their presentations as well.
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