Tony O’Connor (Head of Design M&S;), Mark Eley (Eley Kishimoto), Katherine Hamnett, Julian Day

“Eley Kishimoto…the patron saints of print” Established in 1992, London-based print studio Eley Kishimoto have gained global notoriety through a plethora of outputs ranging from fashion and interiors to diverse architectural and design collaborations. Although initially earned as a result of their vibrant fashion collections, the company’s renown has become associated with their freedom to decorate anything and everything. It is this design aesthetic that is key to their works’ identity. Living by the maxim “Print The World”, Eley Kishimoto have always strived to create work with unique creative flair that rejects passing trends and fads, retaining a strong rooting in craft by screen printing product by hand in-house. Having previously produced bespoke and commercial furniture, furnishings and homewares alongside their seasonal fashion collections, their projects represent the latest incarnations of a continually evolving design concept and a visceral exploration of surface decoration.

TONY O’CONNOR

Head of Design, Menswear Marks & Spencers

Tony joined the business in 2008 as Head of Design for menswear bringing with him a wealth of experience and a strong focus on design and brand clarity to develop the strong, modern and cohesive menswear offering at M&S.; Tony developed M&S;’ Best of British Collection which celebrates its first birthday in October.

Tony started his career in retail at Next as an assistant designer where he stayed for 11 years, working his way up and leaving as the Head of Design in 2001. He then joined Moss Bros as their Creative Director where he worked across their franchise department including brands such as Hugo, Canali, and Armani. Before joining Next, Tony studied for a degree in fashion design at Newcastle University.

In his spare time he is a keen photographer and follower of the catwalk shows each season.

KATHARINE HAMNETT

Katharine Hamnett is a global heritage brand, famous for making great clothes that you keep forever, launching new trends, creating new fabrics and inventing new technical processes as well as campaigning for political and social issues.

Katharine Hamnett has received awards including Designer of the Year (1984), Cotton Designer of the Year (CottonInc 1983), Bath Museum Menswear Awards (1984) and the BKCC award for export (1984). Katharine has also been awarded CBE (2011), (Commander of the Order of the Queen.

Katharine is the pioneer of ethical and environmental clothing, a leading ethical and environmental spokesperson and has the ability to generate international media attention across news, current affairs as well as fashion. She was voted ‘Britain’s number 1 Ethical Hero’ by New Consumer magazine and ‘Queen of Green’ by UK Vogue.

The Katharine Hamnett mission statement: To produce ethical and environmental clothing on a large scale, alleviating poverty and preserve traditional skills.

JULIAN DAY

A costume designer for over two decades Julian has won plaudits for his costume design on features such as the James Hunt biopic Rush, Control, Dom Hemingway, Salmon Fishing in the Yemen and Diana.

SHAUN COLE

Shaun Cole is a writer, lecturer and curator, and currently Course Leader for Masters degrees in History and Culture of Fashion and Fashion Curation at London College of Fashion. He was formerly Head of Contemporary Programmes at the Victoria and Albert Museum, where he curated several exhibitions, most notably Graphic Responses to AIDS (1996), Dressing the Male (1999) and Black British Style (2004). He is a trustee of the Costume Society UK and associate editor of the journal Fashion Style and Popular Culture.