[1] He worked first as a pattern grader with Ossie Clark and Celia Birtwell, then hugely influential designers for the boutique Quorum.
[3] By the early 1980s, Barnett had become an established part of what Brenda Polan and Roger Tredre described as London fashion's "creative renaissance", with a peer group that included Vivienne Westwood, Wendy Dagworthy, BodyMap and Katharine Hamnett[6] He won the Dress of the Year award in 1983 – his linen dress and coat was selected by Observer fashion editor Sally Brampton.
[8] Barnett always considered himself a freelance designer and also collaborated with more traditional fashion names, including Jaeger and Norman Hartnell.
[1] His collaboration with Hartnell – working alongside the designers Victor Edelstein and Allahn McCrae – was greeted enthusiastically by The New York Times in 1986.
"The tailored day clothes by Mr. Barnett are the most impressive, carrying some of the slickness of Italian workmanship in well-made coats and suits.