Whatever the future of fashion holds, our Innovators are shaping it.

Kevin Germanier focuses on upcycling luxury fabrics and developing original techniques, like threadless, machine-washable embroideries. At Stefan Cooke, design duo Stefan Cooke and Jake Burt reinvigorate traditional processes with modern technologies and add subversive twists to classic menswear. Harris Reed fights for the beauty of gender fluidity with creations that blend his signature romanticism with regal fashion and club-kid couture.

With AZ Factory x Thebe Magugu, South African designer Thebe Magugu combines modern tailoring with motifs from his heritage, while Nensi Dojaka rewrites the rules of modern femininity with layered, sustainably sourced fabrics and deconstructed silhouettes. Maximilian Davis, Salvatore Ferragamo’s new creative director, draws on Black history and his religious upbringing as inspiration for sultry elegance. Rui Zhou uses zero-waste 3D technology to create seamless gender-fluid knitwear. And finally, Steven Stokey-Daley plays on the clichés of upper-class English culture and launches s.s.Daley’s first womenswear collection, exclusive to MATCHESFASHION.

Joining them, MATCHESFASHION welcomes three new names. For her label ASHLYN, designer Ashlynn Park operates a zero-waste policy while using Western draping techniques and traditional Eastern construction to explore the notion of contemporary tailoring. Connor McKnight creates utilitarian workwear-style pieces, drawing inspiration from both American history and his dual heritage. Jermaine Gallacher is MATCHESFASHION’s first interiors Innovator, revered for turning one-off carboot-sale finds into ornamental designs that blur the lines between sculpture and décor. ‘I couldn’t be more delighted to welcome three new design talents to the program,’ says Damien Paul, MATCHESFASHION’s head of menswear. ‘It’s a privilege for us to be part of their journey and able to connect these future voices with our customer.’

Below, the designers discuss the future of fashion and how they innovate in their forthcoming collections for MATCHESFASHION.

‘Immaterial and digital fashion will create more possibilities for designers to play their cards, but authenticity will remain the best way to connect with customers.’

Rui Zhou

‘Innovation is easy when you have an unrepresented background and perspective. We must ensure these designers have the resources to show us our future.’

Connor McKnight

‘The future of fashion is hopeful. It’s my mission to tackle the industry’s waste problem to create a better world for my daughters.’

Ashlynn Park

‘I hope the future of fashion allows everyone to feel seen, from the modest woman to the differently able-bodied.’

Thebe Magugu

‘Honing the craft of fashion is the future, instead of branded “souvenir” clothes that feel temporary.’

Stefan Cooke

‘I bring energy and joy to probably one of the oldest human design motifs: the zigzag!’

Jermaine Gallacher

‘I don’t like it when people say: “Everything has been done.” Innovation lies in new techniques and sourcing, not just aesthetics.’

Kevin Germanier

‘The future looks a lot more sustainable and responsible. I believe it will be incredibly liberating.’

Nensi Dojaka

‘Fashion is becoming a bridge for different art forms – from theatre to ceramics, technology to dance.’

Steven Stokey-Daley

It’s not only designers who are pushing the limits. To celebrate the Innovators’ AW22 collections launch, MATCHESFASHION has collaborated with multimedia artist Younji Ku, who works across film and digital art on projects for the likes of Kanye West and Gareth Pugh. Previously SHOWstudio’s art director, Seoul-born and London-based Ku has developed a digital campaign with a dynamic look into the future.

‘The main inspiration was nature with a vibrant and positive tone; the future of fashion is exciting,’ Ku says of her process recreating a look from each collection using 3D scanning software. ‘New technologies encourage us to explore previously uncharted areas of fashion, and from there, new needs and desires will be discovered. This means more fun and new things to play with, for everyone.’

ARTIST YOUNJI KU. CREATIVE DESIGN LEAD ZACHARY MAYNE. HEAD OF MENS DAVID ST JOHN JAMES. HEAD OF DESIGN MINA AZAR. TECHNICAL SUPERVISOR MICHAEL GOSSAGE. DIGITAL FASHION DESIGNER SEAN-HENRY FITZSIMONS. MODELS TANE PAKARI BOWDEN AT KULT AGENCY AND YOLANDA DIKOBE AT BODY LONDON. HEAD OF CREATIVE PRODUCTIONS TOMASINA LEBUS. SENIOR PROJECT MANAGER EMA JANACKOVA.