Graduate Fashion Week 2025: Debenhams Group named as headline partner

The Graduate Fashion Foundation has named Debenhams Group as the headline partner for Graduate Fashion Week 2025, the premier showcase of BA graduate fashion talent.  It will take place from Friday, 13 June to Monday, 16 June at The Truman Brewery in Shoreditch, London.

Now in its 34th year, the event will feature a packed schedule including 15 runway shows hosted in the Debenhams 500-seat catwalk hall, along with more than 20 live industry talks in the 150-seat GFW Live! Talk space.

As headline partner, Debenhams will take centre stage on opening night with a dedicated commercial runway show. This show will spotlight 20 graduate collections handpicked by the Debenhams Group team for their standout appeal and commercial potential.

One designer will be selected from this showcase to receive the prestigious “Catwalk to Collection” Award, which includes a 12-month contract with Debenhams Group and the opportunity to design a full collection for sale on Debenhams.com.

Throughout the event, Debenhams will also be present with an industry stand, offering CV and portfolio workshops, while actively scouting new talent to join the wider group and its in-house labels.

Debenhams is a digital fashion and lifestyle retailer now owned by the Boohoo Group.

The annual Graduate Fashion Week is deemed the world’s largest and most influential platform for emerging BA fashion talent, gathering work from over 95 leading UK and international universities and colleges, spanning 26 fashion disciplines and showcasing the future of the industry in motion.

With more than 30,000 attendees, the event features 26 catwalk shows, curated exhibition spaces, and a lineup of talks, workshops, and masterclasses led by some of fashion’s most established names. It’s showcase as well as a launchpad for over 5,000 graduates each year, offering a first glimpse at the ideas, aesthetics, and voices that will define the next era of design. It’s a magnet for recruiters, editors, and global industry insiders who come in search of fresh perspectives and undiscovered brilliance. For many graduates, it marks the beginning of a career—not just in fashion, but at the cutting edge of creativity.

Fashion Trade Fair: Moda x Pure Debuts at Spring Fair, Showcasing Fashion Trends and Industry Insights

Launched today at Birmingham’s NEC, Moda x Pure makes its debut as the newest addition to Spring Fair. Running until February 5th, this dynamic fashion trade event welcomes industry experts and buyers to explore an exclusive selection of Womenswear, Clothing & Footwear, Fashion Accessories, and Jewellery & Watch. Alongside the curated showcase, attendees can engage in a compelling lineup of educational sessions and catwalk presentations.

At the heart of the show, The Inspiring Retail Stage hosts the Moda x Pure Catwalk, featuring bold styling and trend-forward looks from exhibiting brands.

A highlight of the catwalk is The Pure Edit, spotlighting brands previously featured at Pure, including Angeleye, City Goddess, Trixxi, and AX Paris. This season’s theme, A Modern Love Story, blends contemporary fairy tale elements with practical, romantic designs. Expect silk satins, lace, and embellishments, seamlessly paired with urban tailoring to create an ethereal, dreamlike aesthetic in soft, delicate hues.

The catwalk will also showcase collections from exhibitors such as Target Dry, Goose Island, Fabuline, and Sunco Knitwear, presenting an inspiring mix of styles for the upcoming season.

Supporting Emerging Talent

Committed to fostering the next generation of fashion innovators, Moda x Pure has partnered with the Graduate Fashion Foundation, a key organization in the industry. This collaboration provides a platform for four Graduate Fashion Week designers to present their visionary collections alongside established brands, offering fresh perspectives and creative ingenuity to the trade audience.

Industry Insights & Expert Talks

The Inspiring Retail Stage will host engaging panel discussions, providing invaluable insights into sustainability, technology, and emerging fashion trends.

Jeff Banks, a legendary figure in British design, will reflect on his 60-year journey in licensing, branding, and fashion, sharing personal anecdotes and hard-earned lessons.

Kate Hardcastle will deliver a keynote on The Science of Shopping – What Consumers Want Next, offering deep insights into evolving consumer behavior and actionable strategies for retailers.

Andrew Xeni, founder of sustainable fashion brand Nobody’s Child, will share his expertise on scaling an eco-conscious brand in today’s competitive digital landscape.

For retailers looking to expand into homeware, Trendhub’s creatives will reveal AW25/26 Homeware and Festive trends, highlighting the interplay between minimalism and abundance, raw craftsmanship, and bold print layering.

Relaxation & Hands-On Experience

Visitors can unwind at the Moda x Pure Fashion Café, a stylish retreat offering coffee and inspiration. Pop-up activations include styling sessions with Visual Merchandising Specialist Sarah Manning, where buyers can experience Moda x Pure brands like Yumi, Goose Island, Trixxi, Angeleye, and AX Paris firsthand.

A New Era for Spring Fair

Soraya Gadelrab, Event Director at Spring Fair, shares her excitement:

“Moda x Pure marks a thrilling new chapter, bringing together contemporary fashion, bold trends, and essential retail insights. The Moda x Pure Catwalk will bring these collections to life, offering a front-row seat to the season’s most exciting looks. This collaboration celebrates creativity and innovation, giving attendees an unparalleled opportunity to discover new collections and connect with industry leaders.”

She added that with its carefully curated selection, expert-led discussions, and immersive fashion experiences, Moda x Pure sets the stage for an inspiring and forward-thinking season at Spring Fair 2024.

About Spring Fair

Spring Fair is one of the UK’s leading retail event attracting 38,000 buyers with a combined budget of £2.25bn. 

2025 will celebrate 75 years of rich heritage. as it was inaugurated by the Queen in 1976 when it moved to the NEC.

For full details on Spring Fair and Moda x Pure, click HERE.

London's King’s Cross reveals partnership with Graduate Fashion Foundation

London's popular destination for lifestyle and fashion retail - King’s Cross - has announced the return of its hugely successful market concept, The Drops at Coal Drops Yard, this year with a new partnership with Graduate Fashion Foundation. 

The 2022 market series, which began on 5-7 May and will run monthly until September, will see an exciting line-up of emerging designers showcasing and selling their designs at the independent, design-led market – and for the first time, they’ll be joined by five graduate designers some who’ve never presented their designs on a public stage before. 

The monthly market is already becoming a well-regarded retail space for promising designers, cult brands and established labels and this year will see up to 40 fashion and homewares stalls each month. 

The monthly three-day event, curated by design studio HemingwayDesign, will be a showcase of quality and creativity in fashion, homewares and lifestyle, handpicked by Wayne Hemingway and his team and positioned in the open spaces of King’s Cross.

The five graduate designers will be supported by Graduate Fashion Foundation with a sponsored stand, branding, signage and mentoring from the charity. They are Max Alexander with his contemporary streetwear brand, BRYDER; Mariah Esa, a responsible designer who repurposes waste from the fast fashion industry; Jennifer Healy with her luxury, British-made, slow fashion brand, Peach Eyes; Sarah Thompson with her north-east England inspired brand, TOM-O; and Donnel Chavunduka with his sustainable and organic, gender-neutral brand, Geminii Studios.