Colin Wolfenden
Fashion designer and TV presenter, Colin Wolfenden, studied the National Diploma in Fashion Design at Bradford College in the 1980s.
Fashion designer and TV presenter, Colin
Wolfenden, studied the National Diploma in
Fashion Design at Bradford College in the 1980s.
Colin had his own men’s and ladies wear brand bent
and corrupt. The collection was sold by all major
designer stores throughout the world including
Harvey Nichols, Liberty, Brown Thomas (Dublin), and
Sebu (Hong Kong). With 6 years of steady growth, the
collection was recognised as a key British brand and
boasted a host of celebrity client including Robbie
Williams, Ewan McGregor, Lee Ryan and Jude Law.
Colin now has a host of interesting ‘consultancy’
contracts, one of them being the Ten by Michael
Owen collection for Burton. Colin took influences from
footballer Michael’s sports and home life and created
a very personalised and directional casual wear
brand. He is also a visiting lecturer in Fashion Design
at Leeds University.
Colin’s first TV work was presenting a makeover show
for Channel 4 called Fairy Godfathers, in which he
answered the call of distressed women who had
given up on their men. He totally transformed the
guys from Neanderthals into slick, caring ‘new men.’
Colin still lives in Leeds and spends his time flitting
between the city, Nottingham, London, Italy and
Germany.
“I still remember vividly the day I went for the
interview for a place on the Fashion Design course
at Bradford College. A 16 year old school leaver
from a council estate in Bradford with an idea that
he might become a fashion designer. How sad is
this, I also remember what I wore, a cropped blazer,
white cricket trousers and white mesh pumps - the
height of fashion for a long hot summer in Yorkshire.
It was pouring with rain! I looked like a very trendy
drowned rat when I walked into the office of Judith
Wilde, who was the Head of Fashion at the time.
When I think back I cringe with embarrassment at
the work I presented and my idea of fashion, but
Judith must have seen something in my work as
she offered me a place on the course. I was on my
way. Judith was a real inspiration to me and I will
always be very grateful to her for the opportunity and
encouragement she offered.
The highlight of my
time at Bradford would have to be winning the Award
for Most Promising Student at the end of the course."
Colin has never forgotten that one of the best things
about the course was getting people from industry in
to give insights and he has generously given his time
to talk to students and offer a professional critique of
their work. “I owe Bradford College for the best start to my
fashion career and try to help whenever I can. I am
teaching a little myself now and there are things
that I still remember from my time at Bradford that I
incorporate into my lessons.”
Photograph supplied by Colin Wolfenden