“I despise simplicity. It is the negation of all that is beautiful”

Hartnell, a designer after my own heart. I despise idle designs. Static creativity. Deja-vu we did not demand, repeatedly revolved & repackaged. In a world of rampant overproduction & FPP factory-led copycat fashion, statement design has never been more necessary. Low energy, low risk mediocrity masquerading as ‘chic minimalism’ has plagued the industry. Nevermind “not gilding the lily” if the beauty of the lily is lacking in the first place. Lazy designs that will bore you into doom-scrolling for the mere excuse of escaping what you are looking at for the thousandth time.

The bride is the belle of her ball and should be unrepentant in this regard. I exist to empower that bride & embolden her to persue her dreams. I’ve never understood 'dreamer' as a pejorative, quite the opposite. Ever since the first client I served referred to us as ‘les marchands de reves', I have worn the term “dreamer” with pride. I am driven by dreams, limitless aspiration, delivered by design. There are few privileges greater than bringing needle and thread to bear, weaving dreams into reality.

"I make no claims as to my collections being demure or lowkey, The designs are unashamedly...not understated!"

- Martin Odin Kristensen

Originally founded as a couture house by Isabell in 1990, creating timeless evening wear, the independent Maison was relaunched in London in 2017 by Isabell’s son Martin Kristensen, who as the fates would have it, was born the very day of Isabell’s first independent fashion show. Under Marty’s creative direction, the house focussed on creating exquisite statement designs, winning ‘Best Dressed’ on Red Carpets from the Oscar’s to Cannes FF & BAFTAs. A multifaceted designer, Marty has been commissioned to design key leading talent looks for hit shows, with his creations featured on the likes of BBC’s The Traitors, Design Masters, The Voice, X Factor, BBC Strictly, E!, ITV’s ‘Dancing on Ice’ & Channel 4’s ‘Inside The World’s Most Luxurious’, to name a few.

Having firmly established his family’s namesake brand in the luxury bridal sector since his breakout bridal collection SS2023, as featured in British Vogue, the award-winning designer has received ‘Most Valued & Recommended Brand of 2025 & 2026’ by The Knot Worldwide & nominations for Rising star Award & CS Global Fashion Awards 2026. Having created designs donned by icons including Nicole Kidman, Katy Perry, Pixie Lott, Kat McNamara and Paris Hilton, the Maison excels in evening-wear, Marty is transferring that couture savoir faire to serve its’ bridal clients worldwide, partnering for the first time with stockists abroad. All Marty’s designs are strictly MADE IN ENGLAND guaranteeing exquisite quality. Taking 2025 by storm, Marty’s bridal collections headlined fashion weeks from Barcelona to Harrogate, in 2026 Marty brought his collection to March Chicago NBM for the first time as well as Melange Market in New York, NYLBFW.