The Lake District Foundation, the local charity caring for the Lake District, welcomes a new Ambassador, Lee Paton.
Lee Paton is a bespoke couturier who has his own fashion house in London and is currently creating the first Couture fashion house in Cumbria. Lee is passionate about championing environmental sustainability in the fashion industry and through his new role as Ambassador at the Lake District Foundation.
Lee grew up in Cumbria, trained at London College of Fashion, interned at Alexander McQueen and then worked on the famous London’s Savile Row.
Lee launched his own fashion house in 2010. The brand’s work has been featured in many British and overseas publications such as Vogue Tatler Harper’s Bazaar InStyle Elle Robb Report and The Financial Times. Lee’s clients are generally high-profile individuals from elite sportsmen and sportswomen, well known musicians and actors to the members of several international royal families.
Lee is currently moving his business to Cumbria and has aspirations to develop the first Cumbria couture fashion house. Lee hopes this will not only provide a wonderful opportunity to showcase what the area has to offer but also provide an opportunity to introduce visitors to other local crafts, businesses and industries.
Lee Paton, Couture Designer and Lake District Foundation Business Ambassador, said: “It is my honour to represent the Lake District Foundation as Business Ambassador, allowing me to showcase the skills of the wonderful people, places and communities of England’s largest national park. With my background in an industry not usually associated with the region, I hope to offer a new perspective of what the Lake District has to offer and promote the Foundation through my work to new international audiences. Growing up close to the rugged fells and peaceful tarns I have always been passionate about the romance, history and heritage of the Lake District, fascinated by the stories from its past, many of which have inspired my work”.
Lee currently works with several local Cumbrian farmers who exclusively provide Herdwick wool for him and he is planning his Spring 2022 collection to be made of Cumbrian fabrics only. Lee is a passionate advocate for traditional British craftsmanship and techniques and is keen to share local Cumbrian skills in his fashion house.
Sarah Swindley, CEO, Lake District Foundation, said: “We are pleased to welcome Lee Paton as our new Business Ambassador alongside Dr Kate Rawles as our Environmental Ambassador, and Sean Conway as our Adventure Ambassador. Our Ambassadors help us spread the word about our cause and we are excited to work with Lee to reach a new audience and offer a new voice on the work we deliver and achieve. We are particularly keen to explore the connection between Lee’s work, the Lake District’s craft heritage and environmental sustainability. Welcome to the team Lee!”
The Lake District Foundation works with businesses, visitors and other donors to support conservation, environmental and cultural heritage projects and programmes of work to help look after the Lake District National Park.
Lee Paton, added: “The national park has been a place of creative motivation to historic artists of many forms and remains a region of immense inspiration through its remarkable beauty. The important work of the Lake District Foundation helps secure the future of a natural beauty that will continue to inspire generations for years to come and I am humbled to be able to play my part as a new addition to such a noble cause”.
The Lake District Foundation is a registered charity and is governed by a board of volunteer trustees including prominent representatives from the environment, business and tourism sectors in the Lake District and Cumbria.
You can find further information about Lee on his website leepaton.co.uk and further information about the Lake District Foundation at lakedistrictfoundation.org .