Grace Wales Bonner, esteemed menswear designer joins an influential list of previous mentors at the school
Grace Wales Bonner the highly esteemed and gifted British menswear designer has recently become the new mentor for the international fashion and design school Istituto Marangoni in London. Grace Wales-Bonner is the founder of the London based menswear brand Wales-Bonner. The LVMH award-winning designer is one of the most influential names in mens fashion. Grace now joins a long list of past mentors, all of which are massive influences in the world of fashion.
These include Olivier Rousteing of Balmain for the schools Parisian branch of the school. Additionally iconic British Journalist Katie Grand for the school in London.
Grace’s partnership with the school in London will contain series of masterclasses and workshops where Wales-Bonner can share her extensive fashion experience with the students whilst introducing guest talks and can provide in-depth feedback with them as part of her new role as a mentor.
Grace’s esteemed menswear brand was launched following her graduation in 2014 from Central Saint Martins. Her label shows cultural research and showcases a wide variety of perspectives and a gives a modern outlook on mens fashion.
Grace Wales Bonner has received many awards during her career including the following: Emerging Menswear Designer at the British Fashion Awards (2015), the LVMH Young Designer Prize (2016), Winner of the British Fashion Council/ Vogue Designer Fashion Fund (2019), CFDA International Men’s Designer of the Year (2021) and The Fashion Awards Independent British Brand (2022).
In 2019, Grace was invited by Maria Grazia Chiuri to collaborate with Dior to re-interpret the house’s New Look silhouette for its Resort 2020 collection. Grace’s previous collaborations have included Adidas Originals, Manolo Blahnik, Swarovski and Charvet to name a few.
This is not Wales-Bonner’s first stint applying fashion into academics as in 2019 she previously curated an institutional exhibition ‘ A Time for New Dreams’ held at Serpentine Galleries, London. Also, Grace is the Head of the Department of Fashion Design at the University of Applied Arts in Vienna, Austria. She has also taught as an associate lecturer at Central Saint Martins in London and has also lectured in New York City.
The students at the school will benefit hugely from Grace’s knowledge and expertise. Not only that but they will be eligible for a number of exclusive work experiences such as supporting Grace’s show at Paris Fashion Week coming up in February 2023. These opportunities provide the students with vital experience in the industry they are studying towards.
This collaboration compliments the aims of the school by giving the students real world experience and advise from those who know the industry best.
“It is with great honour and admiration that we announce the collaboration of the London School with Grace Wales Bonner on this inspiring creative mentorship programme. We are excited for the students to have the opportunity to master their craft alongside such an influential figure for young designers and fashion moguls worldwide. Grace’s time and motivation to drive new talent is empowering and inspiring to watch in action. I cannot wait to witness the abundance of creativity and passion that will result from this outstanding collaboration of great young minds” said Valérie Berdah-Levy, London’s School Director.
“I am looking forward to supporting the development of the students at Istituto Marangoni and to sharing the realities expected of emerging design professionals”
Said Grace Wales-Bonner
