‘Moira brought Oxford Street to Queen Street’

WHILE Coco Chanel and Vivienne Westwood are household names in the fashion world, one unsung fashion guru has been credited with shaping the tastes of people across South Wales.

The late Moira Gang is described as the woman who “brought Oxford Street to Queen Street”.

As well as playing a part in shaping Welsh fashion in the 1960s, she also helped bring Welsh wool to global attention.

The fashion star died last month aged 86. She leaves behind a great legacy that her close friend, Ruth Caswell, thinks is important to share.

Ruth, 69 said: “Moira got a scholarship to Oxford in the 1940s. She studied Classics. At the time it was an extraordinary thing for a girl to do – especially to get a scholarship as a woman.”

Moira went on to get a job as a graduate buyer at Cardiff’s David Morgan’s after her studies and from there went on to work as a fashion buyer at fondlyremembered department store Marments on Queen Street.

“In the 1960s she practically started the whole scene of fashion in Cardiff,” Ruth added.

“Her and Eric Dutton were the dream team. They started Love It at Marments. She also started a bridal department.”

Ruth met Moira when she was only 23 and was starting out her career as a young designer. In the 1960s Moira and Ruth organised a show for the Western Mail showing how Welsh Wool was being used in fashion and Ruth’s work had been selected to appear in Vogue.

“I was using Welsh white flannel and she didn’t understand why people were buying it – it was making so much money,” Ruth said.

“She later said they were buying it because people were getting married in it and it was becoming popular.

“She told me to make some more – she made my career.

“She supported me and she made me – together we had Vogue.”

But even though they were a successful team, what stood out about Moira for Ruth was the kindness and generosity she showed to people.

“Moira was wanted by places like Topshop and Selfridges, but she stayed at Marments.

“She brought Oxford Street to Queen Street and she brought the Swinging Sixties to Cardiff.

“They wanted to film Top Of The Pops in Wales at one point, but they did not go to the studio – they wanted to do it in the shop. It was like being in London when they filmed it at Marments.”

According to Ruth, Moira said she would always retire when she was 50 – and she did. She moved to Spain following her retirement and she stayed there until her final days.

Her brother, Michael Williams, still runs Betts Nurseries in her Neath home town.

“She died on the terrace in the sun surrounded by care from her friends and family,” Ruth said.

“She had lots of offers when she was working, but she always stayed in Wales.

“She was brilliant.”