Debenhams has brought back its ‘Designers at Debenhams’ programme as it continues to grow its fashion offering.
The online department store said the relaunch will “honour the brand’s rich heritage while embracing contemporary collaborations and present-day muses”.
It claimed the programme allowed designer fashion to be more accessible to a broader audience and noted the initative had played a pivotal role in the careers of Julian MacDonald and Henry Holland of House of Holland.
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The retailer, which is owned by Boohoo Group, awarded its first “Designers at Debenhams Catwalk to Commercial” prize to Manchester Fashion Institute student Eleanor McMahon at this year’s Graduate Fashion Week.
The award grants McMahon a 12-month in-house contract, where she will design and create a full collection scheduled to go on sale next year as a part of the official Designers at Debenhams relaunch.
The retailer’s chief executive Dan Finley said: “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 return of the retailer’s graduate programme coincides with the launch of over 600 new items online as part of a new partnership with fashion brand Quiz.
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