Julien MacDonald returns to his fashion roots

Internationally acclaimed fashion designer and Brighton alumnus, Julien MacDonald OBE, returned to his roots on Monday 19 March to talk to University of Brighton fashion students about his illustrious career.

Julien participated in a discussion as part of an annual UK-wide, talent-spotting tour of university fashion departments called Fashion Fringe. He studied fashion at the University of Brighton's Faculty of Arts before receiving a scholarship to the Royal College of Art (RCA). He has won international acclaim for his glamorous designs and in 2000 became chief designer at the Paris couture house, Givenchy.

The Fashion Fringe event coincided with a call for applications to the Fashion Fringe award. The competition was organised by world-renowned fashion writer, Colin McDowell, who initiated the event in recognition that not all fashion industry professionals and students can be London-based. The aim is to help connect young talent in the UK regions with the London fashion scene.

Each year, three finalists of the Fashion Fringe award get the opportunity to produce their first solo collection for a catwalk show at London Fashion Week, gaining them instant acknowledgement from the industry. The overall winner receives a two-year development package, which includes a mixture of financial support, business advice, mentoring and an equipped studio at Somerset House in central London, to set up and sustain their business.

During his on-stage conversation with Colin McDowell at the university’s Sallis Benney Theatre, Julien told the packed auditorium: “'I loved university. It was the best time of my life. They taught me everything I know about fashion.”

Students got the opportunity to ask questions and Julien was keen to share his advice: “To be a successful designer, you need to have a gimmick, a selling point, something attractive that stands out from everyone else.”