In 2016 As We Celebrated Our 25th Anniversary We Announced Our First Global Ambassadors, Since Then 16 More Talents Have Joined. Take A Look At Who They All Are And The Incredible Work They Do…
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M.B.E. Fashion Commentator and Agent of Change; Visiting Professor of Diverse Selfhood at Kingston University.
"Graduate Fashion Week, provides vital platform to market the innovations of post graduates to press and business. Our visionary thinkers have taken 3 years or more to examine important issues facing our industry such as design aesthetics, technology, sustainability, diversity and accountability. It’s these new perspectives and enhanced creativity from graduates that will refresh and educate those already in the field."
Fabio Piras is the course director of Central St Martin's MA Fashion Course. Piras stepped into the shoes of the late Louise Wilson OBE in 2014. He lived in Geneva before moving to London for his studies, after which he went on to found his own eponymous label that showed during London Fashion Week from 1994 until 2000. He has also had a successful career in both creative direction and consultancy for luxury fashion brands in Europe and China. Piras worked closely with the late Professor Louise Wilson when she ran the MA course for eight years.
Gok Wan MBE, is a British fashion consultant, author, dj and television presenter. Initially training in the performing arts at the Central School of Speech and Drama, he then entered the fashion business, writing for popular fashion magazines and appearing on various television shows.
Founder and Creative Director, House of Holland.
"Graduate fashion week is an invaluable platform for all fashion graduates. We work in an incredibly competitive industry and the hardest part can be ensuring your work is seen by the right people. Graduate Fashion week is the platform that connects students with industry leaders and large companies, giving graduates the best possible start."
Professor of Fashion & Design, Kingston School of Art / Fashion Features Editor at Large, Rollacoaster magazine
'Over the years I have been fortunate to have been involved in GFW in a variety of roles from critic, consultant, mentor, judge and now Global Ambassador. It was therefore a delight to be commissioned to edit/curate a special one-off publication GFW25, to celebrate the 25th Anniversary of Graduate Fashion Week in June 2016. I was happy to discover that all the contributors involved, young and old alike, have shared the same hopes and desires along with a fundamental, unshakable love of fashion. Something I have learnt over the years is to expect the unexpected from the graduates, be it on or off the catwalks. GFW25 is intended to provide a glimpse of the enormous talent, fortitude and imagination that is to be found at the heart of Graduate Fashion Week. Along with a far-reaching overview of the event I was also keen to showcase on the pages the immensely inspiring creative endeavour involved in not only GFW but also the British Art School system that fuels it.'
Julien Macdonald OBE is a Welsh fashion designer who has appeared as judge on the television programme, Britain & Ireland's Next Top Model. In 2001, he was named "British Fashion Designer of the Year", and on 15 March 2001, was appointed as chief designer at Givenchy.
Senior Editor, Vogue Italia & Head of Vogue Talents.
"Our future is the new generation and GFW has an important role in future of talented designers. To be ambassador is a great honour and gives me the chance to meet a new wave of international creatives."
Creative Director, Christopher Raeburn
“I think increasingly a lot of big brands look to Graduate Fashion Week for true, raw creativity. Ultimately, it’s a springboard for the next generation. I wanted to get involved to hopefully inspire graduates and let them know that building your own business is possible”
Creative and Living Artist
“GFW has become a major moment in London’s fashion industry. The top designers go to find proteges. It’s always full of fresh ideas and I’ve noticed these find their way to the end consumer via the whole spectrum of the fashion industry - from the likes of Chanel at the luxury end to high street stores like M&S”
Designer
“Having been in the business a long time and managed to survive regardless of my unorthodox approach, I feel I’ve a wealth of knowledge to offer from a different perspective”
Bemi Shaw is a Stylist and Journalist. She has worked with, and dressed some of the biggest British talent including Jorja Smith, Sasha Keable and DJ Yasmin to name but a few alongside her work styling Victoria Beckham for The Guardian and shoots featured in The Observer Magazine, Marie Claire and Hypebae. She is on a mission to champion Black excellence and promote the next generation of female bosses. With a background in Fashion Journalism, Bemi flows between writing and styling but also works on casting and production for videos and commercials.
Catherine Teatum and Rob Jones are the Founders of premium designer label Teatum Jones. The designers are united by a shared fascination of humans and their stories. They truly believe in the power of fashion to present a pro-social message of inclusivity and positive identity. Teatum Jones believe in creating socially conscious fashion that puts the craftspeople and the customer at the heart of their creation. Their approach to design has earned them accolades and recognition as London’s young ‘textile pioneers’ and ‘innovators’.
Dior Bediako, is the Founder of Pepper Your Talk and The Junior Network, which works to close the gap between education and early employment whilst removing any feelings of imposture syndrome. Specialising in enhancing skills, cultivating connections and championing confidence. With a background in Fashion Promotions and having worked with brands such as Burberry, Dior hosts hands on events and workshops offering practical solutions to everyday professional obstacles.
Edeline Lee is a Canadian-British, London-based designer who launched her eponymous label in 2014. Edeline Lee pieces emphasise precision cut, hand-made details, and femininity of form. They are tailored to fit on a wide range of body types. Her signature fabrics resist wrinkling so that women can function at a high level in the clothes. She is known for her immersive and performative shows at London Fashion Week.
Eunice Olumide MBE is an international supermodel, broadcaster and curator. In 2017 she was awarded an MBE for her contribution to Arts, Broadcasting and Charity work. She has appeared in world-wide campaigns, fashion weeks and editorials plus walked for designer’s including Mulberry, Christopher Kane, Henry Holland and Harris Tweed. Eunice also published her first book ‘How To Get Into Fashion in 2018.
Ida Petersson is the Director of Mens and Womenswear Buying at Browns. Ida is a huge supporter on emerging talent and creativity and is passionate about scouting unique product and design. In her role, Ida oversees the men’s and women’s buys at Browns, the London concept store acquired by Farfetch in May 2015. She is also a leading role in a number of the experiential, cultural and purpose driven initiatives for the brand. She has successfully engaged a streetwear-focused, digitally-driven younger generation of consumers.
Isabella Silvers is a multi award-winning Integrated Associate Editor in Hearst STUDIO, working across titles including Cosmopolitan, ELLE and Harper's Bazaar. She was named one of PPA’s 30 Under 30 in 2018 and as a Rising Star in the creative industries by We Are The City. As a leading member of Hearst’s Diversity & Inclusivity Steering Group and Co-Chair of Hearst Heritage network, she is passionate about increasing diversity and inclusivity in all areas of the industry and was shortlisted for Hero of the Year at the European Diversity Awards and BAME Workplace Hero at the Investing In Ethnicity Awards.
Orsola de Castro is the Co-Founder and Global Creative Director of Fashion Revolution, a global campaign with participation in over 90 countries around the world. Orsola is a regular key note speaker and mentor and an internationally recognised opinion leader in sustainable fashion. Her career started as a designer with the pioneering upcycling label From Somewhere, which she launched in 1997 until 2014. In 2006, she co-founded the British Fashion Council initiative Estethica at London Fashion Week, which she curated until 2014.
Patrick McDowell is a London based designer captivating the fashion industry. After studying at Central Saint Martins Patrick has gone on to reinvent the roll of a fashion designer as we know it today. Proving that it is not only a designer’s responsibility to create beautiful clothing but also redesign the systems they sit within. Hosting London Fashion Week’s first ever Swap Shop, collaborating with global brands to promote sustainability and creating collections completely digitally Patrick’s creativity knows no bounds.
Richard Quinn exploded onto the fashion scene in a burst of head-to-toe botanical prints. Since earning Her Royal Majesty’s stamp of approval as the first recipient of the Queen Elizabeth II Award for British Design, Quinn continues to take florals to the max.
The model, activist, and Doctor of Letters, is thrilled to be joining to help support and champion the next generation of creative talents as well as further her incredible activism work that aligns with the Foundation’s core objective of enabling a more diverse and inclusive fashion industry.
“I’m so delighted to become an ambassador for Graduate Fashion Week. I'm a great admirer of the creative and unique designs that these future fashion leaders create and I'm always mindful to support them as much as possible by wearing their clothes on shoots and red carpets. I can’t wait to see what this year’s cohort bring to the runway, I’m sure they will continue to amaze us with their inspirational ideas and groundbreaking work.”
Munroe joins as the 21st Global Ambassador for the international charity!