Fragrance house

Nicole Farhi

Nicole Farhi was founded in 1982 by Nicole Farhi and Stephen Marks, her former partner and head of French Connection. The label launched within French Connection and was identified in 1983 as a British fashion lifestyle brand spanning womenswear, menswear, homeware and eyewear. Its design identity combined soft tailoring with luxurious separates and accessories, alongside an adaptable, menswear-influenced wardrobe for women. OpenGate Capital acquired the label from French Connection Group on July 1, 2010, purchasing its inventory, retail locations and intellectual property. In January 2012, Kelso Place Asset Management acquired a significant stake, and that year Joanna Sykes succeeded Farhi as creative director, pursuing a focused, menswear-inspired approach with renewed emphasis on quality. Financial pressures led the business into administration in July 2013; Maxine Hargreaves-Adams bought it out, acquiring its retail, wholesale and online components. By August 2014, Farhi had left the fashion business and identified herself as a sculptor. The official website announces an autumn/winter 2026 relaunch.