Grace Wales Bonner: The Fashion Maestro
Grace Wales Bonner is a British fashion designer known for her eponymous menswear label, Wales Bonner.
Grace Wales Bonner graduated from Central Saint Martins in 2014 and launched her label, Wales Bonner, in 2014 as part of her graduate collection. Her notable achievements began with the recognition of Emerging Menswear Designer at the British Fashion Awards in 2015. The momentum continued in 2016 when, after her inaugural solo runway presentation titled "Ezekiel," she was honored with the prestigious LVMH Young Designer Prize.
She quickly gained recognition for her unique approach to menswear, blending elements of tailoring, sportswear, and cultural references. Her work often explores themes related to race, identity, and spirituality.
Wales Bonner's brand is characterized by a thoughtful exploration of cultural narratives, often drawing inspiration from the African diaspora and the intersection of different cultural and historical influences. The brand is celebrated for its attention to detail, craftsmanship, and the incorporation of diverse cultural references into its designs.
Wales Bonner has engaged in various collaborations that further showcase her interdisciplinary approach to fashion. In 2019, Wales Bonner collaborated with Dior, invited by Maria Grazia Chiuri, to reinterpret the iconic New Look silhouette for the Resort 2020 collection. Shortly thereafter, she secured victory as the recipient of the BFC/Vogue Designer Fashion Fund. January 2019 witnessed another significant milestone in her career when Grace Wales Bonner curated her first institutional exhibition, "A Time for New Dreams," hosted at London's Serpentine Galleries.
In 2020, Adidas enlisted the acclaimed British designer Wales Bonner for her second special shoe selection, continued its streak of sought-after collaborative Samba sneakers. Consisting of two classic styles — the aforementioned Samba and the retro SL72 running shoe — Wales Bonner's recent collaboration with Adidas was quietly stylish, serving as a perfect complement to her apparel designs. Since her initial collaboration with Adidas more than three years ago, the London-born fashion designer has curated a total of eight distinct color ways for this iconic silhouette and multiple clothing lines for the brand.
Just as enthusiasm for the classic sneaker appeared to be waning, the Wales Bonner x Adidas Fall-winter 2023 collection revives the timeless footwear once again. While Wales Bonner's previous joint efforts with the German sportswear giant encompassed various models, this latest release focuses exclusively on the Samba.
By curating her first exhibition and becoming the Artistic Director at the University of Applied Arts Vienna, Wales Bonner is set to further enrich her artistic exploration and cultural dialogue in the ever-changing fashion world. Her unique design approach guarantees that her next steps will shape the industry and extend well beyond conventional fashion norms. Grace Wales Bonner is an inspiring figure, and the fashion world eagerly awaits her future endeavors.