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Arabella Pollen

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Arabella Pollen (born 22 June 1961)[1] is an English fashion designer and, as Bella Pollen, journalist and author of five novels published between 1997 and 2011.

Early life

Arabella Rosalind Hungerford Pollen, known as Bella Pollen, is the daughter of Peregrine Michael Hungerford Pollen, a former chairman of Sotheby Parke-Bernet auction house,[2] and Patricia Helen Barry.[3] Born in Oxford, she was raised in Manhattan.[4]

Fashion career

In 1981, Pollen founded the eponymous design company Arabella Pollen, described by The Independent as: "designer of crisp, colourful clothes for the young social set".[3][5] Among her private clients were Diana, Princess of Wales, Margaux Hemingway and Marianne Faithfull.[6] Between 1981 and 1994, the company was nominated for eleven major fashion awards.[which?]

In 1984, Arabella Pollen won the contract to design staff uniforms for the newly launched Virgin Atlantic Airways and created suits in the 'Virgin Red' that is still the airline's signature colour.[7][8] In 1990, Courtaulds acquired a minority share in the company, later increasing this to a majority stake. Arabella Pollen closed in 1994, following Courtaulds' withdrawal.[3][5] Pollen continued to advise the textile giant as a design consultant.[9]

Writing career

In 1995, Pollen became a writer, working as Bella Pollen.[3] Her third book, Hunting Unicorns, became a best seller in 2004.[10] Midnight Cactus (2007) was sold to Paramount Pictures. Summer of the Bear (2011) was an Oprah summer pick and a Richard and Judy best summer read.[10][11] Pollen has contributed to numerous magazines and newspapers including The Times, The Daily Telegraph, The Spectator, The Observer and Vogue.[12][citation needed]

Personal life

Pollen's first marriage was to art dealer Giacomo Dante Algranti in 1985, with whom she had two children, Jesse and Samuel.[13] In 1995, she married David Macmillan, the grandson of former Prime Minister Harold Macmillan, and director of the book publisher, Macmillan Publishers.[13][14] The couple have two children, Finn and Mabel.[13]

Bibliography

  • Meet Me in the In-Between (2018)
  • The Summer of the Bear (2011)
  • Midnight Cactus (2007)
  • Hunting Unicorns (2004)
  • B Movies, Blue Love (1999)
  • All about Men (1997)

See also

References

  1. ^ "Weekend birthdays". The Guardian. 21 June 2014. p. 42.
  2. ^ Huda, Shireen (2008). Pedigree and Panache: A History of the Art Auction in Australia. Canberra, ACT: ANU E Press. p. 28. ISBN 9781921313721.
  3. ^ a b c d "Arabella ('Bella') Pollen (1961–), Novelist and fashion designer". National Portrait Gallery. Retrieved 12 February 2011.
  4. ^ Pollen, Bella (11 May 2017). "My life in fashion: Bella Pollen". Financial Times. Retrieved 30 June 2021.
  5. ^ a b Roger Tredre (20 May 1993). "Textiles giant axes designer fashion firm: The demise of the Arabella Pollen concern has shocked the clothing industry. Roger Tredre reports on the failure of an ambitious project – UK – News". The Independent. Retrieved 2 February 2014.
  6. ^ "Dishy Designer Arabella Won't Let a Naughty Photograph Interfere with Her Plans to Pollen-Ate British Fashion". People. 22 (18). 29 October 1984. Archived from the original on 10 February 2011. Retrieved 12 February 2011.
  7. ^ "Our crew". Virgin Atlantic. Retrieved 2 February 2014.
  8. ^ Kathy Field Stephen. "Virgin Atlantic Airlines: flying to London can be cheap – and fun, too". CSMonitor.com. Retrieved 2 February 2014.
  9. ^ "Arabella Pollen – Fashion Designer Encyclopedia – women, suits, style, new, body, collection, dresses, designs, pants, world, look". Fashionencyclopedia.com. Retrieved 2 February 2014.
  10. ^ a b Jardine, Cassandra (25 June 2004). "Hard times in a perfect world". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 12 February 2011.
  11. ^ "The Summer of the Bear by Bella Pollen By Bella Pollen – Book Finder". Oprah.com. 1 July 2011. Retrieved 2 February 2014.
  12. ^ "Bella Pollen". The Spectator. Retrieved 2 February 2014.
  13. ^ a b c "Arabella Rosalind Hungerford Pollen". The Peerage. Retrieved 12 February 2011.
  14. ^ Thomas, Tony (1992). "Life after Kipling and Thomas Hardy". Business Review Weekly. 14 (34–37): 55. But director David Macmillan, 35, grandson of prime minister/publisher the late Harold Macmillan...

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