While the Kellett uniform is iconic in its own way, Madeleine’s style has definitely evolved over the years! Madeleine started Kellett in Reception in 1984 and went all the way through to Year 6. “I have such happy memories of my wonderful time at school. It was and is brilliant, and now two of my three children are there and enjoying its welcoming and warm ethos. My dad actually mentioned in my wedding speech that there wasn’t a day that I didn’t want to go to school!” she said.

Madeleine is still friends with three sisters that she counts as some of her best friends, and there is still one familiar face from her time at school: “I am very glad to see that Mr Miller is still there! We see him quite a lot,” she said.

She moved to England for school in 1991 and then continued on to university. “I studied Law at Durham but quickly realised I didn’t want to do that!” she laughed.

Madeleine then went into fashion PR before becoming a buyer for Seibu Department Stores in Hong Kong. “They asked me to start designing and then I thought I could do this for my own brand,” she said. She started as she wanted to take knitwear further: “I wanted to move from its more conservative image, particularly with cashmere. I wanted something more cutting edge, and I was sick of itchy modern knitwear and cashmere twin sets!”

Her first collection was just a beanie, dress and a wrap which sold out immediately and now she offers three collections a year including jumpers, scarves, shawls, cardigans and mini- and maxi-dresses which are sold in boutiques around the world and online including on Net A Porter. Her eponymously named company is now around 10 years old and is going from strength to strength, and her elegant but comfortable pieces are worn by famous names such as Jennifer Garner, Naomi Watts, Melania Trump and Katie Holmes.

She advises any students keen to get into the fashion industry to get as much experience as they can. “I really believe that knowing what you don’t want to do is very important for working out what you do want to do,” she said. She pointed out that the fashion industry in Hong Kong is more about production and design, and she is happy to hear from students with a keen interest in fashion – if you’d like to get in touch with Madeleine, send us an email.

Madeleine is kindly providing OKs with a discount of 15% off her fab clothes (full price items only) - go to www.madeleine-thompson.com and use the code KELLETT15.

Media coverage
Madeleine in the Daily Telegraph
Madeleine in the Daily Mail
Madeleine in VOGUE HK