The Vampire's Wife has announced that it has ceased operations “effective immediately” after ten years.
The label, loved by celebrities and royalty alike, today announced that it has 'sadly made the decision to cease trading with immediate effect' following a 'upheaval in the wholesale market'.
However, heartbroken fans will get one last chance to purchase items from the brand, with a physical sale taking place at the Music Room in Mayfair this Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
The brand was founded in 2014 by Susie Cave – the 80s It girl and wife of singer Nick Cave – who broke the news on social media, saying with “great sadness” that after 10 years in business “it's time for me to say goodbye.”
Susie's glitzy dresses are regularly worn by people like Kate and Princess Beatriceas well as celebrity royalties such as Cate Blanchett, Sienna Molenaar And Kylie Minogue.
The Princess of Wales, wearing a dress from The Vampire's Wife, during a reception hosted by British Ambassador to Ireland Robin Barnett at the Gravity Bar of the Guinness Storehouse in 2020
Socialite Tamara Beckwith wears the same £1,595 dress from The Vampire's Wife that the Princess of Wales wore for the above reception at the Guinness Factory in Ireland
Singer Katie Melua wears a gold The Vampire's Wife dress at the Golden Camera Awards in Berlin in 2019
The shocking news was announced today on The Vampire's Wife website. The statement read: Despite a period of positive growth and sales, the turmoil in the wholesale market has had a dramatic impact on the brand.
'There will be a final, physical sale, giving fans of the brand one last chance to buy on May 24, 25 and 26 at the Music Room, Mayfair, London, W1J 5KF.
'The Vampire's Wife would like to express its sincere thanks to all customers, partners and those who have carried the brand over the past decade. Your support has been invaluable and we are very grateful.”
The announcement comes more than a year after the company revealed it was facing liquidation due to an unpaid tax bill.
The Vampire's Wife had been served with a 'liquidation petition', which allowed the court to close the company due to its failure to pay off outstanding debts.
The company's debt was believed to have increased during the pandemic, as shoppers saved money and became less likely to spend on sparkling dresses and going-out skirts.
The company said the petition came 'without prior notice' and that HMRC had rejected requests to arrange a payment plan to repay the outstanding debt.
Former model Susie Cave was the muse of British fashion designers such as Dame Vivienne Westwood and Bella Freud before founding her own label.
Three guests wore Vampire's Wife clothing to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding in 2018, and the label is often spotted at red carpet events.
Famous for its beautiful prairie dresses infused with a dose of gothic glamour, one gown, the Falconetti, was even described by Vogue as 'the dress of the decade'.
The brand's name is taken from one of Cave's abandoned novels and has become a cult favorite.
Ms Cave has previously said her husband is responsible for naming the dresses and choosing fabrics.