“Hello” Julien MacDonald Born 19 March 1971

Julien Macdonald OBE (born 19 March 1971) is a Welsh fashion designer who has appeared as judge on the television programme, Britain & Ireland’s Next Top Model.   He was born in Merthyr Tydfil , South Wales, attending the local  Cyfarthfa High School.

MacDonald was also interested in a career as a dancer, but, instead, studied textiles at The Faculty of Arts and Architecture, Brighton, UK. He then became a student at the Royal College of Art, where he gained a Master’s Degree. He was then  recruited by Karl Lagerfeld to work for Chanel.

In 2000, MacDonald was appointed to the position of chief designer at Givenchy (as successor to Alexander McQueen); and, in 2001, he was named British Fashion Designer of the Year. In the same year, he was tasked by British Airways to redesign their flight attendants’ uniforms.

He has however attracted much criticism for his extensive use of fur in his designs.

His creations have been worn by stars such as Joely Richardson, Dannii Minogue, Geri Halliwell, Dame Shirley Bassey, Naomi Campbell, Beyoncé Knowles and Bonnie Tyler.

MacDonald appeared as a judge on the British version of Project Runway, known as Project Catwalk, that was broadcast on Sky One. In February 2010, MacDonald was unveiled as a new judge on Britain’s Next Top Model, alongside new host and former “supermodel”, Elle Macpherson.

In June 2006, he was awarded an OBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours for services to fashion.