We were delighted to welcome Julien McDonald back to the college during Merthyr’s Enterprise week.

Born in Merthyr Tydfil, Julien Macdonald attended Cyfarthfa High School in Merthyr Tydfil. Macdonald was taught knitting by his mother, and soon became interested in design. He was also interested in a career as a dancer, but instead studied textiles at The Faculty of Arts and Architecture, Brighton, then went on to the Royal College of Art, where he gained a Master’s Degree. Soon after graduation, Karl Lagerfeld recruited him to work for Chanel. He also worked freelance creating knitwear for Alexander McQueen.

In 2000, he was appointed as successor to Alexander McQueen as chief designer at the Paris Haute Couture house of Givenchy, and in 2001, he was named British Fashion Designer of the Year. His creations have been worn by stars such as Joely Richardson, Dannii Minogue, Geri Halliwell, Dame Shirley Bassey, Carmen Electra and Naomi Campbell . He was also selected by British Airways to redesign their flight attendants’ uniforms. He also acted as a judge on the British version of Project Runway, known as Project Catwalk, which was broadcast on Sky One. In June 2006, he was awarded an OBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours for services to fashion.
On 19 February MacDonald was unveiled as a new judge on Britain’s Next Top Model along side new host Elle Macpherson.