Debenhams has announced the relaunch of their acclaimed ‘Designers at Debenhams’ initiative, with the introduction of Eleanor McMahon, ‘Catwalk to Commercial’ award winner at Graduate Fashion Week 2024, who will be designing an exclusive collection as part of a 12-month contract.
The popular Great British digital department store selected Eleanor McMahon from Manchester Fashion Institute as its first winner, as Debenhams judges joined the 4-day catwalk panel to watch and review the students’ collections showcased at the event. McMahon’s collection stood out, as she explored the notion of nature reclaiming space, and highlighting the impact of urbanisation on the environment.
The scheme that has historically proven successful in enabling designer fashion to be more accessible to a broader audience, as well as playing a pivotal role in the careers of the designers themselves – Julian MacDonald, Matthew Williamson, and Henry Holland being just three of the many talents making their mark through the years.
Dan Finley, CEO at Debenhams remarks
“Bringing back Designers at Debenhams is a significant milestone for us … Eleanor’s final collection aligns perfectly to 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 re-launch will celebrate the brand’s storied legacy while incorporating modern collaborations and contemporary inspirations. Eleanor McMahon’s in-house contract will offer a unique opportunity to gain invaluable insight and experience into the industry from a commercial perspective, and allow the young designer to create a full collection scheduled for release in 2025 as part of the Designers at Debenhams relaunch.
The collection will be available in 2025 – with more to come soon around Designers at Debenhams.
