Colin McDowell joins Graduate Fashion Week as Trustee

“I am very pleased to have become a Trustee of Graduate Fashion Week as I am convinced that its nation-wide brief to help and encourage students and academic staff across the whole country is a necessary antidote to the erroneous idea that because British fashion is shown mainly in London it is only the products of London fashion colleges that matter. 

Education is a national and, indeed, an international, imperative as is finding and nurturing young talents to introduce to the fashion system at many different levels. The hard work and dedication of GFW officers, helpers and volunteers given without any thought of personal gain is an inspiration for the fashion business, and I am proud to be joining their number,” says Colin McDowell MBE

Colin McDowell MBE is one of the Fashion Industry’s most senior and respected fashion commentators, with a global profile and following, from his thirty years in the business.  During that time he has acted as magazine editor, illustrator, commentator and writer as well as being the only major fashion writer to have worked as a dress designer for several years.

He is the author of over 20 books related to fashion & style and has written various scripts for television and radio programmes devoted to the social history of dress.  His work has appeared in all the major British quality newspapers as well as many UK and international magazines and periodicals. For many years he was the Senior Fashion Writer for The Sunday Times Style Magazine.

McDowell is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts, a Senior Fellow of the Royal College and holder of several honorary degrees, doctorates and professorships from some of the UK’s most prestigious fashion-related universities.  He is the Founder and Creative Director of Fashion Fringe – an initiative set up in 2003 with IMG in order to strengthen London as a fashion centre by stemming the ‘brain drain’ of young designers who were forced to find work abroad as there was so little possibility of making a living in the United Kingdom.

“We are delighted that Colin has agreed to become a Trustee of Graduate Fashion Week,” says Rob Templemen, Chairman.  “We are currently undergoing a period of evolution to move the event forwards and to have the ability to work with such international respected members of the fashion community is invaluable.  With Colin and the other Trustees guidance, Graduate Fashion Week will continue to grow and be bigger and better than ever before.”

Showcasing the very best talent from the UK’s premier fashion and design universities, Graduate Fashion Week is one of the most un-missable events on the calendar for both the international fashion contingent and the general fashion loving public.  This year’s event will take place from 2-5 June at Earls Court 2 and celebrates 22 years of British trained fashion talent passing through its doors.

Graduate Fashion Week