Savannah Miller and Damian Hopkins unveil new label Vivere

Designer Savannah Miller has unveiled a new womenswear brand, called Vivere. She’s launched it in a partnership with brand and retail specialist Damian Hopkins.

The name comes from the Italian verb meaning to ‘live,’ ‘be alive,’ ‘last,’ ‘endure,’ or ‘live through’ and Miller said the line “embodies contemporary femininity, defined by a sense of relaxed, timeless and functional elegance”.

The launch collection — for AW23 — is all about “affordable, high-quality, modern wardrobe staples,” we’re told. It “focuses on elevated fabrications, directional silhouettes and a refined tonal colour palette that includes earthy green and brown hues alongside rich navy and elegant pink”.

Miller is a Central Saint Martins-trained designer who worked for Alexander McQueen and Matthew Williamson before launching the label Twenty8Twelve with her sister Sienna Miller in 2007. They exited in 2012, and in 2016 Savannah launched her eponymous luxury ready to wear bridal label. Stocked at 45 retailers globally, it was expanded into bespoke in 2020.

Meanwhile Hopkins has been best known recently as the founder of PDS Radius Brands and as an executive director of the global consumer-driven manufacturing and sourcing platform PDS Ltd. He became a CBE this year and has been an entrepreneur operating within the global retail brands and licensing industry for over 25 years.

“Having founded, built, and sold three successful businesses in the sector. Damian’s career encompasses manufacturing, wholesale, retail, licensing, international franchising, and e-commerce, with a proven track record of launching, repositioning, and transforming consumer and celebrity brands,” the company said. 

The leadership team also includes supply chain experts Duygu Leblebici and Nilufer Polat. They’re based in Istanbul and have combined experience of over 40 years experience manufacturing and sourcing clothing for major brands across both women’s and menswear. They also have their own factory in Istanbul.

Meanwhile Susie Calvert also joins the collective as COO, and Gudrun Kloepsch accompanies on design. 

What they’re all working on is a “premium, considered collection for the woman who wants to invest in an enduring wardrobe that transcends current shopping trends and focuses on complimenting her core style and values”. 

Miller said it “delivers wardrobe solutions for women to create a feeling of her ‘best self’ with effortless confidence”.

The first drop is in August direct to consumer via the viverelondon webstore and in partnership with John Lewis. It will be available at selected John Lewis department stores, including Chelsea’s Peter Jones, plus John Lewis on Oxford Street, in Bluewater, Edinburgh, and Cheadle Manchester, as well as online at johnlewis.com. 

Beth Pettet, Head of Fashion Brands at the retailer, said: “Savannah’s take on the ‘new smart’ is sure to resonate with our customers and we look forward to adding the collection to our branded offering — bringing together new and established brands like nowhere else on the high street.”