Mentors
HASOU boasts a visionary team of illustrious mentors and educators who are not only experts in their field but also deeply committed to helping our students achieve their goals. These influential and dynamic professionals bring a wealth of experience, making them approachable guides for every student’s journey. Through their mentorship, they inspire and empower our next generation of fashion creatives, equipping them with the skills and confidence to thrive in the industry.
Alexandra Black
With over 20 years of experience in commercial design, Alexandra Black is a creative Design Manager known for her innovative solutions and collaborative approach. She has a strong background in luxury fashion, sustainable practices, and strategic thinking, having worked with renowned brands like Seasalt, Incorporatewear Ltd, Superdry, NEXT PLC, and Burberry. Alexandra's expertise lies in creating iconic, high-quality designs while fostering business relationships and influencing stakeholders.
Alice Potts
With 8 years of experience in fashion biomaterials, Alice Potts has honed her expertise and language fluency. She focuses on diversifying biomaterial products from a design-driven perspective and developing scalable, practical bio-based materials. Renowned as a bioInnovator for her work in sweat crystallisation and bio-based plastics, she collaborates with technical teams and designers to integrate advanced materials into future products, supporting top manufacturers and biomaterial companies.
Ann Hardiman
Ann Hardiman, a visionary leader in UK women’s fashion, has steered creative design and product strategy for top retailers like Oliver Bonas, Karen Millen, Coast, and Oasis. With adept team coaching and trend foresight, she drives brand growth, fosters innovation, and shapes market-leading success. Trusted and influential, Ann embodies complete product vision and strategic prowess.
Ben Stubbington
Ben, a UK native, spent 17 years in NYC's fashion scene, working with Banana Republic, Calvin Klein, and Theory before joining Lululemon as SVP. Now the Creative Director for Veilance at Arcteryx, he's a minimalist creative living in LA with his partner, Heather. Passionate about health and sports, he enjoys running, surfing, and yoga, while cherishing friendships, music, and nature.
Benita Odogwu-Atkinson
I am an Educator and designer with 30+ years in Fashion and Textiles, committed to innovative teaching and mentoring. As a Trustee of the Graduate Fashion Foundation, I support graduates entering the industry, and as Vice Chair of FACE, I advocate for equity in creative education.
Caroline Gilbey
Caroline Gilbey has dedicated over 25 years to the education sector, remaining deeply committed to its transformational potential. After an illustrious career in the fashion industry, she has crafted and taught courses that pave the way for successful and fulfilling careers in both traditional and emerging roles within fashion.
Caryn Franklin
Caryn Franklin MBE, MSc, is a former 'i-D Magazine' editor and 'BBC Clothes Show' presenter. She’s a fashion commentator and activist with over 40 years of experience, co-founding 'All Walks Beyond the Catwalk' and co-chairing 'Fashion Targets Breast Cancer'. Caryn also consults on image politics and recently co-authored SKEWED, addressing identity bias.
Denis Murphy
Denis, a veteran in luxury fashion, blends artistry with expertise. Alumni of Chelsea School of Art and Central Saint Martins, his designs grace global stores and top fashion weeks. Collaborations with leading designers and museums underscore his creative influence. Co-founder of FDS, his avant-garde vision resonates through award-winning labels like INSIDEOUT. At Paris Fashion Week, he continues to inspire with his unique aesthetic, leaving a lasting imprint on the industry.
Dinu Bodiciu
Dinu Bodiciu, a Romanian designer and educator, brings 15+ years of teaching across the UK, Singapore, Romania, and Norway. A PhD candidate at University of the Arts London, he explores clothing's symbiotic bond with the human body. His designs, worn by Lady Gaga and featured in films like Hunger Games 3 & 4, showcase his sustainable label, Made With Time, emphasising zero-waste practices and a slow production ethos.
Ellen Fowles
Ellen Fowles is an adaptive clothing designer aiming to create garments that people of all ages and abilities can enjoy. Her designs facilitate personal agency through functional dressing options, with a considered aesthetic that prioritises wearers’ dignity. Working across inclusive design in academia, she has held lecturer roles at institutions such as the Royal College of Art, Goldsmiths University, London College of Fashion and the Savannah College of Art & Design.
Emma Davidson
Emma Davidson, a renowned fashion recruitment specialist at Denza, connects top talent with leading fashion brands. She serves as a university jury member for fashion students and conducts workshops on portfolio presentation and CV building. Emma also consults for brands on collaborations, team restructuring, and mentoring, making her a highly sought-after industry expert.
Frances Murphy
Frances Murphy, a seasoned fashion and textiles expert, blends creativity with sustainability. With over 20 years of experience, her collaborations with renowned designers and museums showcase her innovative approach. Her research focuses on 3D printing's potential in textile manufacturing, challenging traditional methods for a more sustainable future.
Frances Walker
Frances Walker is a Creative Director with 30+ years in luxury menswear, known for launching brands at Nicole Farhi and leading design at Mr Porter and Finisterre. She excels in creating timeless, distinctive designs and fostering innovation in dynamic environments.
Gemma Metheringham
Gemma Metheringham, a circular fashion consultant with 30+ years of industry experience, focuses on leveraging the secondhand fashion market to reduce carbon emissions. Trained as a Designer at Nottingham Trent University, she held leadership roles at Karen Millen and Next. Passionate about sustainability, she completed a Fashion Futures MA and now researches, mentors, lectures, and writes on circularity to challenge throwaway fashion consumption.
Heidi Fielding
Heidi graduated from the University of Brighton in 2001 and has over 20 years of experience in the fashion industry. She progressed from Assistant Designer at Marks and Spencer to Head of Design at New Look, contributing to successful collaborations at Debenhams along the way. Known for her strategic and innovative approach, she co-founded The Curated Collective with Michelle Evatt, offering design-on-demand services and creating new brands.
Jeffery Kong
Jeffery Kong, an experienced Head of Design, brings international expertise across all aspects of the fashion industry. With executive roles at Kohl’s, Elie Tahari, Escada, and others, he drives sales growth and brand repositioning. A Royal College of Art graduate, he's dedicated to nurturing emerging talents and promoting sustainability and diversity. Kong serves on the Fashion History Museum board and the Toronto Metropolitan University Fashion Program Advisory Council.
Julian Roberts
Julian Roberts, a UK fashion designer and academic, is renowned for his "Subtraction Cutting" technique, which innovates pattern cutting through intuitive experimentation. He has taught globally, held roles at the Royal College of Art, and is now a Senior Tutor at Portsmouth University. Roberts has won the New Generation Award for his collections at London and Paris Fashion Weeks and collaborates with Mari Bendeliani on the sustainable label Nothing Nothing2.
Juliana Sissons
Juliana Sissons, co-founder of the Rebel Tartan Project, is a designer, educator, and author leading the MA Fashion Knitwear Design course at Nottingham Trent University. Her sculptural knitwear collections have been exhibited globally, including at the V&A Museum, and she has authored two knitwear design books. With a background in tailoring and collaborations with icons like Alexander McQueen, her current research explores innovative pattern-cutting techniques inspired by surgical methods.
Kris Haigh
Kris Haigh, a British designer based in Los Angeles, has 20 years of experience with high-end and commercial American fashion brands. He graduated with a First-Class degree from the University of Brighton, interned at Alexander McQueen, and worked at Marks and Spencer. His career includes roles at Abercrombie and Fitch, Ralph Lauren, American Eagle, Original Penguin, GAP, Banana Republic, and collaborations with Louis Vuitton. Kris founded the brands '1K' and 'Kristopher'.
Maria Chen
Maria Chen, a partner at CNTRFLD.ART and CNTRFLD.STUDIO, is a leading figure in conceptual fashion, blending contemporary art and culture. Influenced by her Taiwanese roots, she pioneered upcycling and gender-inclusive style, working with top brands like Calvin Klein and Giorgio Armani. With advanced degrees from Central Saint Martins and the Royal College of Art, she now focuses on minimalist aesthetics inspired by Asian art and promotes dialogue between design and art while championing feminism
Marianna Fioretti Piemonte
Marianna is an Art Historian and Professor specialising in contemporary Art History, focusing on Fashion, Design, and Sociology. Her master’s thesis examined museums’ roles in documenting social movements. She has worked with brands like Camper and Desigual, blending academic insight with creative industry experience to highlight the connections between culture, society, and art.
Michele Manz
Michele Manz, a British Designer in Los Angeles, with 25 years of experience across Italian fashion, American Ready-to-Wear, and Premium Denim. Specialising in brand startup and realignment, she champions sustainability since 2018, collaborating on eco-friendly yarns. With a Royal College of Art graduation, she held pivotal roles at Alberta Ferretti, John Varvatos, and Current/Elliott.
Michelle Evatt
Michelle Evatt, with 20+ years in fashion, held key design roles at top UK brands like Ted Baker and Oasis. She combines creativity with commercial savvy, specialising in global multi-product womenswear collections. Michelle excels in identifying new product opportunities to enhance brand awareness while maintaining integrity and quality. Recently, she co-founded a design agency that fosters new brands and supports existing ones.
Mohsin Sajid
Mohsin Sajid, a British fashion designer and founder of ENDRIME Denim Workshop, is a leading denim specialist with over 23 years of experience. Renowned for his sustainable designs, industry innovation, and education initiatives, he has worked with top brands like Levi’s and Evisu and earned recognition in the Rivet 50 and WeAr Denim Top 100.
Niall Cottrell
Niall Cottrell, an expert in digital fashion innovation, specialises in 3D visualisation, Web3, and AI-driven design. Formerly the Design Director for Wearables at ZTX and a collaborator with LVMH, he has worked with brands like Alexander McQueen, Versace, and The Fabricant. Niall blends traditional fashion expertise with advanced digital skills, creating virtual assets for gaming, metaverse platforms, and NFTs, and advancing immersive digital solutions in the fashion industry.
Omar Mansoor
Omar Mansoor, a London-based fashion designer, is famous for his couture occasion wear and has dressed British actresses, European aristocrats, and royalty. He reintroduced fusion clothing to modern fashion, and his brand, OM, has appeared at major fashion weeks. Featured in Vogue UK and the Financial Times, he mentors at the University of the Arts London and lectures globally. He also teaches courses in fashion and beauty branding at London Metropolitan University.
Ren Pearce
Ren Pearce, a Central Saint Martins MA graduate, co-founded Pearce Fionda in 1994, gaining international acclaim. His award-winning designs led to a successful Debenhams diffusion line. A dedicated educator, he has lectured at top UK universities and pioneered the SPIRAL CUTTING technique. He continues to inspire future designers at HASOU Fashion Academy.
Richard Gray
Richard Gray, a renowned illustrator and educator in fashion design, began his career in 1987 when Anna Piaggi discovered his work, leading to commissions for Vogue Italia and Vanity magazine; his global client list includes Alexander McQueen, Givenchy, and Vivienne Westwood, with work showcased at institutions like the Victoria and Albert Museum, where his illustrations are part of the permanent collection.
Salmena Carvalho
With over a decade of global teaching experience, Salmena Carvalho brings a wealth of expertise to the learning environment. Her work as a freelance Design Consultant enriches her teaching with real-world insights. Committed to empowering emerging creatives, Salmena fosters transformative learning experiences rooted in ethics, sustainability, and social responsibility, enriching the educational journey.
Sandrine Nganga Johnson
Sandrine Nganga Johnson, a French fashion designer and Clo3D expert, has worked with brands like Chanel, Prada, and H&M. Showcasing her designs globally, she’s known for her innovative "True to Life" digital renderings and use of tools like Blender and Unreal Engine. Sandrine also teaches in the UK and Paris, and her creative talents extend to being a DJ, beatmaker, and music producer.
Sarah Brennand
Sarah Brennand, with 25+ years in fashion recruitment, began after completing her BA Hons in Fashion Marketing in 1999. She’s worked in the USA and London as a Fashion head-hunter and later in-house for major American retailer Abercrombie and Fitch. Sarah travels globally to recruit designers and is heavily involved in fashion education, mentoring, and as a lead Catwalk Judge at Graduate Fashion Week.
Sonia Robinson-Jones
Sonia Robinson-Jones is a design professional with 25+ years of experience in commercial fashion. She now teaches at top UK institutions, focusing on sustainability and preparing the next generation of fashion professionals.
Sue Chowles
Associate Professor Sue Chowles is an accomplished academic and co-founder of HASOU Fashion Academy. With 34 years of experience, she has held esteemed leadership positions at prestigious institutions such as the London College of Fashion and the University of Brighton. Sue is recognised as a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy. Her unwavering commitment to fostering robust industry connections distinguishes her as a forward-thinking visionary leader in fashion education.