Julien McDonald
(1972 - )
Julien Mcdonald was born in Methyr Tydfil, Wales in 1973. He earned a textile degree from Brighton University. He won a post at London’s Royal College of Art in its graduate fashion design program.
Mcdonald took an internship with designer Koji Tatsuno in Paris who asked him to design the fabrics for one of his collections in 1993.
Upon his return to Brighton, he entered a student's design competition and designer Karl Lagerfeld noticed him and asked him to join the House of Chanel. Lagerfeld tutored him and eventually made him head knitwear designer for Chanel. In 1997, he launched his own label and caught the attention of the Spice Girls who asked him to design their tour outfits. T
Mcdonald's exposure with the Spice Girls, helped him expand his clientele with celebrities such as Elizabeth Hurley, Nicole Kidman and Madonna. Mcdonald is renowned for his innovative knitwear and love of glamour. In 2000, Mcdonald signed partnership with Italian yarn and clothing manufacturer Gruppo Lineapiu. LVMH did not renew Mcdonald’s contract in 2004.
He had continued to produce his own line during his stay at Givenchy, and returned to London to give it his full-time attention. Mcdonald is one of the most established designers on the contemporary London fashion scene.
