Peter Simon | |
---|---|
Born | Peter Simon August 1949 (age 75) Ceylon (now Sri Lanka) |
Nationality | British |
Occupation | Businessman |
Known for | Founder of Monsoon Accessorize |
Spouse | Kate Simon (m. 1977;div. 2000) |
Children | 6 |
Peter Simon (born August 1949) [1] is a British businessman who is the founder and owner of fashion retailer Monsoon and Accessorize.
Born in Sri Lanka, he was educated at boarding school before going on to live in a naturist community in Ibiza. [2]
On a road trip from London to Rajasthan, India via Turkey, Iran and Afghanistan, he has said he was inspired by the colour and local fashion. [3]
In 1973, Simon started out selling woollen coats on Portobello Market, London. [4] A year later Simon opened Monsoon's first physical outlet in Beauchamp Place, London. [5]
The retail chain was originally known for retailing hippie clothes before Simon re-positioned the company as a mainstream female fashion brand. [6]
In 1984, Simon opened the first branch of accessories retailer Accessorize. [3] In 1989, Simon floated the combined company. [6]
In 2007, Simon bought back all shares in the company held by external investors to become 100 percent owner. He had previously tried to acquire these shares in 2003 and 2004. [7]
In 2014, Simon invested in homewear brand Loaf. [8]
According to The Sunday Times Rich List in 2019, Simon has a net worth of £480 million. [9]
He married Kate Simon in 1977. [10] The couple divorced in 2000. [11] In 2017, his son George Simon, a property developer, was involved in a fatal car crash. [4] He previously dated actress Jane Seymour. [2] He has had six children. [2]
A contemporary art collector, he is a trustee of the Tate Gallery. [12] He started the Monsoon Art Collection in 2000. [13]
In 2015, it was reported that he was planning to knock five homes into one in Chelsea, London, which was met with local dissent. [14]