Culturalee spoke to Naeem Anthony, Creative Director of internationally acclaimed Fashion brand Helen Anthony in advance of a major catwalk show in partnership with Coracho Tequila at the Londoner on Saturday 22nd February as part of London Fashion Week.
Founded in 2015 by tailor and designer extraordinaire Mr. Naeem Anthony, Helen Anthony merges contemporary style with classic tailoring. Helen Anthony is a pioneer of genderless clothes that continue to push boundaries through fashion. The brand name is a portmanteau of Mr. Naeem Anthony’s surname and the first name of his great grandmother Helen Thomas, who was the first person to encourage Anthony’s talent for tailoring. Helen Anthony offers bespoke couture as well as ready-to-wear collections for men, women and children.
Helen Anthony partners with Coracho Tequila for LFW25 and Culturalee also spoke to Dein, founder of Aeon Black Creative, the agency that orchestrated the partnership.
Culturalee: Helen Anthony offers bespoke couture as well as men’s, women’s, and children’s ready-to-wear collections. How do you find the time to create so many collections alongside bespoke pieces?
Naeem Anthony: For me, this isn’t just work—it’s my passion. I dedicate my entire time and energy to creating because I truly love what I do. Bringing imagination into reality is a privilege, and as a designer, I feel incredibly lucky to have the opportunity to turn vision into something tangible. Managing multiple collections alongside bespoke pieces is about balance, but it’s also about the excitement of designing for everyone—from high-profile celebrities to individual clients seeking exclusivity.
This commitment to craftsmanship and innovation is now fully realized in our three-story flagship store in Mayfair, which will offer a ready-to-wear collection for both men and women. This space is not just a store—it’s a destination where customers can experience the world of Helen Anthony firsthand, immersing themselves in the artistry, tailoring, and ethos of the brand.
Part of the Helen Anthony DNA is an inclusive ethos of genderless clothing, which is boundary-breaking and innovative. Were you one of the first designers to promote gender fluidity in your collections?
I wouldn’t claim to be the first, but every designer has their own unique vision. For me, genderless fashion is about freedom—freedom to express yourself without limitations, to wear what makes you feel confident, and to embrace clothing without restrictions imposed by society. Each Helen Anthony design is created to empower the wearer, allowing them to feel bold, unrestricted, and truly themselves.
The Helen Anthony brand name comes from a combination of your great-grandmother’s name—Helen Thomas—and your surname. Was this an intentional combination of male and female in keeping with your gender-fluid vision for the brand?
The brand name is deeply personal. My great-grandmother, Helen Thomas, was the one who first recognized my talent and encouraged me to pursue tailoring. Naming the brand after her was my way of keeping her legacy alive. While the name itself naturally carries both a masculine and feminine element, the real significance is honoring the person who played such a vital role in my journey.
What can guests at the upcoming LFW show at The Londoner expect from the new collection?
This season’s collection explores the themes of gemini & duality which explores the concept of duality—the balance between opposing yet complementary forces. It reflects the idea that within every individual, there are two sides: strength and softness, structure and fluidity, tradition and modernity. The collection plays with contrasts in texture, tailoring, and silhouette, incorporating bold patterns, luxurious fabrics, and innovative craftsmanship.
At its core, this collection is about freedom in self-expression—embracing every facet of identity without limitations. It’s a continuation of Helen Anthony’s signature aesthetic: genderless, boundary-pushing, and deeply rooted in artistry. Guests can expect a showcase of expert tailoring, rich storytelling, and striking designs that challenge conventional fashion norms while celebrating individuality.
You’ve dressed many high-profile celebrities, including Rita Ora, and been featured in GQ, Vogue, Vanity Fair, Harper’s Bazaar, and Elle. What is next for Helen Anthony? Who is on your wish list of celebrities to dress?
I feel incredibly fortunate to have worked with so many talented individuals and to see my designs embraced by such an amazing community. However, I prefer not to focus on a wish list—it’s not about specific names but about the people who resonate with the brand and its vision. My goal is to continue collaborating with talented individuals who appreciate craftsmanship, innovation, and artistry. The journey ahead is about evolving the brand, expanding our reach, and welcoming more inspiring individuals into the Helen Anthony family.
You have already shown multiple collections on the world stage, including Milan Fashion Week, New York, and London. Which city do you prefer in terms of the excitement around your art and the staging of fashion week?
Helen Anthony has presented 10 collections globally—2 in Milan, 1 in New York, and 7 in London (including this upcoming show). Each city has its own charm and energy. London is home, and with our head office and flagship store based here, it will always hold a special place for the brand. However, Milan, with its rich tailoring heritage, and New York, with its bold and dynamic fashion scene, also bring unique excitement. Each show in a different city allows me to connect with new audiences and continue pushing the boundaries of Helen Anthony.
Culturalee: Coracho Tequila are partnering with Helen Anthony on the LFW Spring 2025 fashion show. How did the partnership come about, and what will it involve?
Dein Moore: My Agency (Aeon Black Creative) and distribution company (Haus of Spirits) are U.K. partners with Coracho Tequila. The brand owners (Gabrielle Marks) along with myself have a deep love and respect for the role of fashion in our society. So it was a natural fit to work with a recognised star and respected designer such as Helen Anthony within this space. It’s our second time partnering together on Fashion Week and we look forward to growing this relationship into something much stronger.
Initial conversations came from my friend Natalia Cassel who got us on just sponsorship in September and we decided on something a little deeper to show we really want a presence in the fashion world.
Culturalee: How does this partnership between Helen Anthony and Coracho differ to the usual brand partnerships?
Dein Moore: Sponsorships tend to be quite passive and flat; we wanted something that’s more detailed, a little 3D if you will in its approach to getting the attention both brands deserve.
It also helps that the Coracho tequila team (Gabrielle Marks being a former model herself) are big fans of the fashion industry altogether. So, a better representation of our look into fashion to show that we’re here to stay I think is quite important. Partnering with Helen Anthony demonstrates that we’re in the know of who is right in the fashion world and looking to build bridges and support that industry altogether.
