Julien Macdonald joins GFW jury

Graduate Fashion Week announced that British designer Julien Macdonald has joined the judging panel of the River Island Gold Award 2008. Following his early training at Brighton University and the Royal College of Art, Macdonald started his career working for fashion designer Karl Lagerfeld. Macdonald has won British Glamour Designer of the year three times as well as an OBE (Officer of the Order of the British Empire), which he received in the 2006 Queen's Birthday Honours List for his services to the Fashion Industry in England.

“I’ve always been a huge fan and supporter of young British designers, and after graduating from Brighton University and taking part in Graduate Fashion Week myself, I am delighted that this year I’m going to have the opportunity to give something back, because this is where the next star of the future will be found", said Julien Macdonald.

Launched in 2005, the prestigious award worth £20.000 is presented to the graduating student whose work most demonstrates exceptional ability in design, cut and construction as well as excellent use of colour and fabric. This year’s judging panel will also consist of industry icon Claudia Schiffer, Lorraine Candy Editor in Chief British Elle and River Island CEO Richard Bradbury CBE. Previous judges include Alber Elbaz, Artistic Director, Lanvin, Stefano Pilati, Creative Director of Yves Saint Laurent, Christopher Bailey, Creative Director Burberry, Sophia Kokosalaki, US Harpers Bazaar Editor Glenda Bailey and British Vogue’s Alexandra Shulman.

The nominated collections from the Pringle of Scotland Visionary Knitwear Award and Zandra Rhodes Catwalk Textile Awards, will also join the selection process to be short listed for the final 10 collections for the River Island Gold Award. Graduate Fashion Week is taking place from June 8th – 11th.