GAVIN DOUGLAS
BA (Hons) PGCE FHEA MA
Born in Birmingham in the United Kingdom, Douglas quickly became recognised as an innovative award-winning fashion designer. Douglas' multi award-winning designs have been seen regularly on the pages of the world's most influential fashion and lifestyle publications, including Harper’s Bazaar, Tatler and British Vogue.
Collections have been presented across various international catwalk shows and exhibitions including London Fashion Week – on schedule, Paris Fashion Week, Barbados Fashion Week and Caribbean Fashion Week in Kingston Jamaica.
Douglas continues to remain aware of changes and developments within the industry as a practicing fashion designer and scholarly as a senior university academic; he continues to design and create garments for private clients as well as share and teach these skills and knowledge to Higher Education students.
“Gavin Douglas has demonstrated the will, drive and a certain amount of charm, which doesn’t hurt”
Tom Ford
AWARDS
Red Thread Fellow of the Year Award
Red Thread Partnership | Milton Keynes, United Kingdom
Deans Academic Excellence Award
Middlesex University | London, United Kingdom
The Originator Award | Smirnoff
Caribbean Fashion Week | Kingston, Jamaica
Caribbean Master Designer Award
Caribbean Fashion Week | Kingston, Jamaica
Fashion Fringe Award
IMG UK | London, United Kingdom
Young Avant-Garde Designer of the Year
The London Fashion Forum | London, United Kingdom
PROFESSIONAL ROLES
AND MEMBERSHIPS
MEMBER OF COUNCIL
FACE challenges Higher Education and Further Education to embed the culture and perspectives of people of colour into the curriculum
ACADEMIC TRUSTEE
Appointed as a FACE representative and trustee for the prestigious Graduate Fashion Foundation
FOUNDING CO-CHAIR
Advocating for positive changes for equality and inclusion within the Higher Education sector
GLOBAL CATWALK
PRESENTATIONS
Caribbean Fashion Week
Catwalk Show and Exhibition | Pulse Investments Ltd | Kingston, Jamaica
Paris Fashion Week
Sales Exhibition | Atmosphere d'hiver | Paris
London Fashion Week - On-schedule
Catwalk Presentation and Sales Exhibition | The British Fashion Council | London
Brooklyn Fashion Week
Catwalk Presentation | Tyler Media | New York
Barbados Fashion Week
Catwalk Presentation
"From 2006 until now, fashion designer Gavin Douglas has remained an exquisite breath of fresh air"
Novia McDonald Whyte
GLOBAL EXHIBITIONS
BET Rip the Runway | Hammerstein Ballroom
New York, United States of America
The Gavin Douglas collection opened the annually broadcasted show. BET is Americas largest Black entertainment channel
Black Britannia Exhibition | Mayor of London, City Hall
London, United Kingdom
The then British Prime Minister, Gordon Brown recognized Gavin Douglas as one of 50 of the most influential Black role models in the United Kingdom
Black British Style Exhibition | Victoria and Albert Museum
London, United Kingdom
Exhibited work at the Black British Style Exhibition at the Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery. This exhibition was the first of its kind in the UK and highlighted the variety of lifestyles that co-exist in black culture.
Kulture2Couture | Mayor of London | Victoria and Albert Museum
`London, United Kingdom
Invited by the Mayor of London's office to showcase at Kulture2Couture; a high-profile initiative aimed at celebrating, showcasing and promoting the artistic and creative talents of Black fashion designers in the UK.
"Gavin Douglas’ professional career and industry experience are a testament to his passion, hard work, drive and determination; his persistence in continuing to succeed demonstrate that he is a leader with a strong determination to achieve."
Colin McDowell MBE
DESIGN DEVELOPMENT
Design images courtesy of Elf and Stone
PRIVATE COMMISSIONS AND COLLABORATIONS
HARRODS
Douglas collaborated with luxury retail outlet Harrods to create collections that were sold exclusively in the Harrods store
YOOX.COM
Douglas collaborated with luxury online outlet Yoox.com to create collections that were sold exclusively on-line through Yoox.com.
THE ROYAL OPERA HOUSE
Invited as the Head Designer to design and create outfits for the Jette Parker International Young Artists programme at The Royal Opera House.
SUPERDRUG
Designed a range of fashion essentials for the Superdrug superstore
KELLY ROWLAND
Secured the front cover of the Kelly Rowland album, Ms Kelly Diva Deluxe. Kelly Rowland wore a Gavin Douglas Swarovski Cocktail evening dress
HOUSE OF FRASER
Exclusively exhibited at the 'WE LOVE BRUM' House of Fraser exhibition and event
THE BIG CITY PLAN
BIRMINGHAM
Invited by the Birmingham City Councils Big City Plan to create a collection representing the upsurge of fashion in Birmingham
PROFESSIONAL PARTNERSHIPS
“Gavin Douglas has demonstrated the will, drive and a certain amount of charm, which doesn’t hurt”
Tom Ford
