Matchesfashion founders get OBEs

By

Barbara Santamaria

Published
Jan 5, 2020

The founders of UK luxury fashion destination Matchesfashion.com have been awarded OBEs for services to the international fashion retail industry.

The Chapmans co-founded the brand in 1987. Now known as a heavyweight player in the luxury e-commerce space, Matchesfashion.com began with a single brick-and-mortar store in Wimbledon. In 2007, the retailer became one of the first in the UK luxury fashion space to go online, sending its valuation soaring to in excess of $1 billion by 2017.

“We are delighted to accept these awards on behalf of the many extraordinary individuals we were lucky enough to work with while founding and leading Matchesfashion.com,” said Tom and Ruth Chapman.

“It brings immense pride to have been at the forefront of the changing face of retail, from the humble beginnings of one brick-and-mortar store to one of the foremost global luxury e-commerce businesses, flying the flag for Great Britain in more than 170 countries.”

Since control of selling Matchesfashion.com to Apax Partners in 2017, the two entrepreneurs have continued to invest in early-stage companies through their family office. Their portfolio includes beauty brand Heyday, size-inclusive womenswear brand Universal Standard and personal care brand By Humankind. And they continue to retain a minority interest in Matchesfashion.

Elsewhere in fashion, Camilla Lowther, founder of management agency CLM, was awarded an OBE for her services to British fashion and photography.