Paying tribute to British fashion designer David Nieper, who has died age 90

It is with great sadness that we share the news that Mr David Nieper has died. He passed away peacefully on Wednesday, 11 August.

David Nieper established his fashion brand David Nieper Ltd in Derbyshire 60 years ago – this year being the company’s diamond anniversary.

Over the years the family company has grown from a fledgling business to an international fashion brand employing over 300 staff.

David Harry Nieper was born in Darley Dale, Derbyshire in 1931. His father worked for local knitwear manufacturer John Smedley. Growing up in Derbyshire, David regularly visited John Smedley’s mill, soaking up the environment of the region’s textiles industry.

Following a stint in the army, which took him into the warzone of Suez – David returned to Derbyshire and took up a management position at John Smedley before marrying,  then launching his own clothing business with his wife Roe in 1961.

David Nieper Ltd started out designing and making nightwear, employing a handful of local dressmakers and working from a Nissen hut in the town of Alfreton, which was rented from the council for £3 a month.

It didn’t take long before David’s beautifully made samples and charming sales patter had impressed buyers in London, and he secured his first order from John Lewis.

Going from strength to strength, the firm went onto supply all the top department stores and became renowned in the fashion world, especially for its pure cotton for nightwear collection.

Throughout the seventies and eighties the David Nieper brand grew exponentially and gained a high profile, working with models including Joanna Lumley and Yasmin Le Bon.

Joanna had recently been in touch to record her own memoirs for David’s book Persistence Wins which was published in 2019 and dedicated to his wife Roe.

In recent years, David focused on the collections and creative direction of the brand, working alongside his son Christopher Nieper OBE, company CEO. The company and people were his life’s passion. Over decades thousands of loyal customers inspired him to go the extra mile in designing and making beautiful clothes in Britain, and he worked tirelessly with his team until his final days.

His creativity, flair for style and joie de vivre will live on in his collections to be enjoyed by customers across the globe. His quick wit and sense of humour will be remembered fondly, by all who knew and worked with him.

David celebrated his 90th birthday last month surrounded by his family. The family and everyone at David Nieper Ltd will miss him enormously.