Debenhams Announce Revival of the Iconic ‘Designers at Debenhams’

Written by The Chic Geek on June 16, 2024. Posted in Fashion, News.

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Debenhams, the iconic British digital department store, proudly announces Eleanor McMahon from Manchester Fashion Institute as the winner of the inaugural “Designers at Debenhams Catwalk to Commercial” Award at Graduate Fashion Week (GFW) 2024.

This award signifies the re-launch of the acclaimed Designers at Debenhams program, which has made designer fashion more accessible to the broader public since 1993. The program has been instrumental in the careers of renowned designers such as Julian MacDonald, Matthew Williamson, and Henry Holland. The re-launch celebrates Debenhams’ storied heritage while embracing contemporary collaborations and new talents.

Dan Finley, CEO of Debenhams, states, “Bringing back Designers at Debenhams is a significant milestone for us. Debenhams was a pioneer in this space, writing the blueprint for many talent collaborations. Eleanor’s final collection aligns perfectly with the ethos of our business, and she will be a part of our Designers at Debenhams Journey. We’re looking forward to welcoming her to learn from our in-house experts and bring her inspirational collection to life for SS25.”

The “Designers at Debenhams Catwalk to Commercial” Award grants Eleanor McMahon a 12-month in-house contract at Debenhams. This opportunity will provide her with invaluable industry experience from a commercial perspective, allowing her to design and create a full collection set to launch in 2025 as part of the Designers at Debenhams re-launch.

Debenhams judges selected the winner by participating in the daily catwalk judging panel, reviewing all university students’ collections showcased during the 4-day event, and announcing the winner at the finale on June 13, 2024. McMahon’s winning collection, which explores the theme of nature reclaiming space and the impact of urbanization on the environment, stood out among the impressive entries.

Rachel King, Buying & Design Director at Debenhams, adds, “We are so excited to welcome Eleanor into the Debenhams family. Although all students presented impressive collections, Eleanor’s designs stood out to us immediately as the stand-out winner of the Designers at Debenhams Catwalk to Commercial Award. We can’t wait to see what she imagines for her debut collection with us.”

Eleanor McMahon expresses her excitement, saying, “Embarking on the next stage of my career with Debenhams is incredibly exciting, and I’m eager to dive into the commercial side of the fashion industry. Showing my final collection at Graduate Fashion Week was an unforgettable experience, and I look forward to designing for such a renowned British powerhouse as Debenhams.”

Stay tuned for more information on Eleanor McMahon’s debut collection, coming in 2025. See more of the fashion on Fashion, Home & Beauty | Debenhams