Designer clothing brand Amanda Wakeley has netted an undisclosed investment from private equity firm AGC Equity Partners.

Launched in 1990 by Wakeley, the clothing brand has its flagship shop on London’s Fulham Road.

The new investment is said to mark a ‘major milestone’ following a restructuring of the business three years ago when Wakeley led a buy-back and will be used to accelerate development and turn the brand into a luxury offering.

Wakeley, who was awarded an OBE in 2010 for services to the British fashion industry, says the new capital means that her company is on its strongest operational and financial base in its history.

She adds, ‘This significant step would not have been possible without my wonderful team at AW and I am enduringly grateful to them for their unstinting support, incredibly hard work and good humour.’

Luxury goods ‘expert’ Sagra Maceira de Rosen has acted as an adviser on the deal and will now continue to work with Wakeley on the business’ board post-investment.

She says, ‘Amanda Wakeley is an iconic and stylish UK designer with demonstrable international potential. Her brand has the heritage and momentum to develop into a leading lifestyle brand.’

Walid Abu-Suud, co-CEO of London and Middle East-based AGC Equity Partners, adds, ‘We are delighted to be investing in the company at such an exciting point in its evolving history.

As well as providing clothes worn by the Duchess of Cambridge, Wakeley’s fashion brand has also dressed actresses Scarlet Johannsson, Kate Winslet and Demi Moore as well as the late Princess Diana and Queen Rania of Jordan.

‘Amanda is ready to take her brand to the next level and we are delighted to provide the capital to fund that new development phase.’