Jonathan Saunders

Jonathan Saunders (born 1977)^[2] is a Scottish fashion designer, known for his work with prints and use of traditional silk screening techniques.^[3][4] Saunders was named Scottish Fashion Designer of the Year at the Scottish Style Awards in 2005,^[5] and British Designer of the Year at the Elle Style Awards in 2008.^[6] Celebrities who have worn his designs include Madonna,^[7] Kylie Minogue,^[8] Sienna Miller^[9] and Michelle Obama.^[10]

Career

Saunders graduated from Glasgow School of Art in 1999 with a BA in printed textiles, and went on to gain a MA in the subject at Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design in 2002.^[1] His graduate collection, which featured a series of brightly printed chiffon kaftans inspired by the Beatles' Yellow Submarine album cover,^[3] won him the 2002 Lancome Colour Award.^[11] Within two days of his graduation show Saunders was commissioned to design prints for Alexander McQueen,^[3] and produced a bird-of-paradise print for McQueen's 2003 collection.^[12] Saunders was also enlisted as a consultant for fashion houses Chloé, and Pucci under the direction of Christian Lacroix.^[4]

Saunders made his debut at London Fashion Week in September 2003.^[13] British Vogue featured one of Saunders' designs on the cover of the January 2004 issue,^[14] and Harrods and Harvey Nichols placed orders for his designs.^[15]

Saunders continued to show regularly at London Fashion Week until 2008, when he decided to take his collection to New York Fashion Week in a move he described as "a natural progression".^[16] He returned to London Fashion Week in 2010.^[10]

In addition to designing for his own label, Saunders is creative director of Milan-based fashion house Pollini^[17] and has designed ranges for retail chains Target^[18] and Topshop.^[19]

References