Nicole Farhi

• Name — Nicole Farhi • Born — 1946 • Birthplace — Nice, France • Occupation — Fashion designer, artist, sculptor • Relatives — Moris Farhi (cousin)

Born in 1946 in Nice on the French Riviera, Nicole Farhi is the daughter of Sephardic Jews who immigrated to France from Turkey after World War I. Her father sold rugs and lighting. She attended synagogue with her grandparents. Members of her family endured concentration camps during the Second World War. Farhi studied both art and fashion in early 1960s Paris and, needing to be self-sufficient, started her career as a freelancer there in 1967 before moving to London, England, in 1969 or 1973.

In 1978, Farhi was employed by Stephen Marks to head up his company's design studio in Bow, East London, on the French Connection label. She was given a free hand to design. She was also commissioned to design theatre and cinema costumes. In 1982, Marks assisted Farhi in launching the eponymous Nicole Farhi high-end fashion label within the French Connection group. The label opened shops worldwide, including London and New York in 1999. The success of her first label was followed by Nicole Farhi for Men in 1989. The Nicole Farhi Home Collection was launched in 1998 and a concept store named 202 opened in 2002, featuring homeware, clothing lines and all day brasserie. On 15 March 2010, French Connection announced the sale of the brand and retail chains to OpenGate Capital for up to £5 million. Entering administration in 2013, the labels had six stores, supplied major stores such as John Lewis and had concessions in other department stores. Administrators Zolfo Cooper were appointed on 3 July 2013 to advise on sale or restructuring of the UK shops and associated retail outlets located within Harvey Nichols, House of Fraser and Selfridges.

Farhi and Marks' professional relationship resulted in a personal relationship, and the couple had a daughter, Candice Marks, before separating. Farhi married British playwright David Hare in 1992. They met when she designed the costumes for his play Murmuring Judges. Eduardo Paolozzi, her friend and mentor, was a witness at their wedding. She is a cousin of the writer and human rights campaigner Moris Farhi. In February 2007, Farhi was a signatory to the declaration of Independent Jewish Voices, calling for an open and critical debate on Israel and criticising certain Jewish organisations' unconditional support of Israel in relation to Palestine.