Business News

Julien MacDonald returns to his fashion roots

Published 21 February 2012

Internationally acclaimed fashion designer and Brighton alumnus Julien MacDonald, OBE, will return to his roots next month to talk to University of Brighton fashion students about his illustrious international career.

Julien MacDonald, OBE, backstage at his Spring/Summer 2010 show in London

Julien is taking part in a panel 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 coincides with a call for applications to the Fashion Fringe award. The competition is organised by 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.

Julien will take part in a panel discussion with a range of experts representing different areas of the fashion industry; from designing and styling to buying, merchandising and journalism. They will talk about their own career experiences and students will be given the opportunity to ask the panel questions and build important connections to further their careers.

The event, which takes place at the Faculty of Arts' Sallis Benney Theatre on Monday 19 March.

Find out more about studying fashion design at the university.