Martin Moss
Encyclopedia
Martin Grenville Moss, CBE
, (1923–2007) was managing director of now-demolished Knightsbridge department store Woollands for twelve years, turning Knightsbridge
into a fashionable shopping location. He was educated at Lancing College
, Sussex
, and, after serving in the Second World War as a fighter pilot
, he married Jane Bown
, CBE, and was promoted to managing director of Woollands in 1954. He is credited with reviving its fortunes. He was hailed for his achievements as "London's one-man wave of fashion" by the New York
magazine Women's Wear Daily
.
In 1966, Moss left Woollands to work as managing director for Simpsons in Picadilly. He spent some time as chairman and chief executive of the US May Department Stores International. In 1985 he became director of the retail wing of the National Trust
. He was a member of the Design Council from 1964 to 1975 and on the council of the Royal Society of Arts from 1977 to 1994.
In 1975, Moss was awarded the post of Commander of the British Empire
for services to design and industry. He died on November 17, 2007.
CBE
CBE and C.B.E. are abbreviations for "Commander of the Order of the British Empire", a grade in the Order of the British Empire.Other uses include:* Chemical and Biochemical Engineering...
, (1923–2007) was managing director of now-demolished Knightsbridge department store Woollands for twelve years, turning Knightsbridge
Knightsbridge
Knightsbridge is a road which gives its name to an exclusive district lying to the west of central London. The road runs along the south side of Hyde Park, west from Hyde Park Corner, spanning the City of Westminster and the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea...
into a fashionable shopping location. He was educated at Lancing College
Lancing College
Lancing College is a co-educational English independent school in the British public school tradition, founded in 1848 by Nathaniel Woodard. Woodard's aim was to provide education "based on sound principle and sound knowledge, firmly grounded in the Christian faith." Lancing was the first of a...
, Sussex
Sussex
Sussex , from the Old English Sūþsēaxe , is an historic county in South East England corresponding roughly in area to the ancient Kingdom of Sussex. It is bounded on the north by Surrey, east by Kent, south by the English Channel, and west by Hampshire, and is divided for local government into West...
, and, after serving in the Second World War as a fighter pilot
Fighter pilot
A fighter pilot is a military aviator trained in air-to-air combat while piloting a fighter aircraft . Fighter pilots undergo specialized training in aerial warfare and dogfighting...
, he married Jane Bown
Jane Bown
Jane Bown is a British photographer who has worked for The Observer newspaper in the United Kingdom since 1949. Her portraits of the famous of the 20th and 21st centuries have received critical acclaim, earning her an exhibition of her work in the National Portrait Gallery in London in 1980.-...
, CBE, and was promoted to managing director of Woollands in 1954. He is credited with reviving its fortunes. He was hailed for his achievements as "London's one-man wave of fashion" by the New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
magazine Women's Wear Daily
Women's Wear Daily
Women's Wear Daily is a fashion-industry trade journal sometimes called "the bible of fashion." WWD delivers information and intelligence on changing trends and breaking news in the fashion, beauty and retail industries with a readership composed largely of retailers, designers, manufacturers,...
.
In 1966, Moss left Woollands to work as managing director for Simpsons in Picadilly. He spent some time as chairman and chief executive of the US May Department Stores International. In 1985 he became director of the retail wing of the National Trust
National Trust for Places of Historic Interest or Natural Beauty
The National Trust for Places of Historic Interest or Natural Beauty, usually known as the National Trust, is a conservation organisation in England, Wales and Northern Ireland...
. He was a member of the Design Council from 1964 to 1975 and on the council of the Royal Society of Arts from 1977 to 1994.
In 1975, Moss was awarded the post of Commander of the British Empire
CBE
CBE and C.B.E. are abbreviations for "Commander of the Order of the British Empire", a grade in the Order of the British Empire.Other uses include:* Chemical and Biochemical Engineering...
for services to design and industry. He died on November 17, 2007.