International fashion designer Julien Macdonald OBE studied fashion knitwear at the University of Brighton before completing his MA at the Royal College of Art in London.

Following the standout success of his RCA graduation show, Macdonald’s exceptional talent quickly caught the attention of Karl Lagerfeld, who appointed him Head Designer of Knitwear at Chanel—an early endorsement that firmly positioned him on the global fashion stage.

Launching his own eponymous label soon after, Macdonald established himself as one of Britain’s most distinctive designers. Renowned for his high-octane glamour and unapologetically sensual aesthetic, his designs became synonymous with red-carpet impact and were embraced by an international roster of stars including Kate Beckinsale, Beyoncé, Kristen Stewart, Heidi Klum, Kim Kardashian, Rihanna, Katy Perry, Naomi Campbell, Jennifer Lopez and Taylor Swift.

Macdonald was later appointed successor to Alexander McQueen as Creative Director of Givenchy, where he designed both haute couture and ready-to-wear collections, further cementing his influence within the luxury fashion landscape.

His contribution to the industry has been widely recognised. He has been named British Designer of the Year at the Elle Style Awards, received British Glamour Designer of the Year and GQ Womenswear Designer of the Year, and was nominated for an Olivier Award for his costume design for the Richard Alston Dance Company’s Shimmer at Sadler’s Wells Theatre.

In 2004, Julien Macdonald was awarded an Order of the British Empire for services to the fashion industry.

Celebrated as the undisputed king of glamour, Julien Macdonald’s London Fashion Week shows remain among the most anticipated on the calendar—iconic, high-energy spectacles renowned for their celebrity presence and unapologetic drama.