Betty Jackson taking a year off

Betty Jackson insists her decision not to create a spring/summer 2012 collection does not mean she is retiring, just taking a 'gap year'.

Betty Jackson is taking a 'gap year'.

The 62-year-old designer has decided not to show at London Fashion Week this season - for the first time in 30 years - or create a spring/summer 2012 collection but she insists this doesn't mean the end for her self-titled label.

She told the Guardian newspaper: "We're not closing the company, and I'm definitely not retiring."

Betty insists the only motivation behind the decision is a "desire for change".

She said: "This is unaffected by market forces, health or anything other than our desire for change."

Following the fall/winter 2011 collection, the Betty Jackson London boutique will close next spring. It is expected future sales will be done wholesale or via the company website.

The British designer - who will continue to create her diffusion range for department store Debenhams and play an active role in the Council of the Royal College of Art - is pleased her decision to take a break as she can devote more time to her work for the Dress for Success charity and her role as a board member of Skillset.

Skillset matches talented young people with skills the creative industry needs, which Betty says means they can "become great product designers or technical specialists, rather than all trying to be catwalk designers".

She added: "I am really passionate about this and excited at the prospect of having more time to devote to it. 'Giving back' is a terrible phrase, but I am really pleased I will have more time and energy to contribute."