Martyn Roberts appointed Events Director of Graduate Fashion Week

Veteran member of The Industry, Martyn Roberts is well known for being the director of the hugely successful independent fashion showcase, Vauxhall Fashion Scout, and he’s now adding a new string to his bow: Event Director of Graduate Fashion week.

Martyn made his way to the UK from a small country town in New Zealand and his first job in fashion fifteen years ago was at Kim Blake PR where he headed the Designer Division looking after Boudicca, Griffin menswear, Christophe Lemaire (now Creative Director Hermès), Lara Bohinc jewellery, Plein Sud and Whistles.

Martyn then moved on to technology companies including Casio & BT Cellnet PR'ing their products and sponsorship deals including Big Brother. Martyn even secured Christopher Kane's first sponsorship deal.

Twelve seasons ago Martyn founded Fashion Scout with fellow member of The Industry, John Walford. Martyn brought Vauxhall in as title sponsor, which created what we know all know of as Vauxhall Fashion Scout.

Martyn has been a member of The Industry (starting under its old guise) since 2008 and was even one of its first guest speakers. We caught up with Martyn for an exclusive interview:

What does it mean to be Event Director for Graduate Fashion Week?  What is your job description?

Graduate Fashion Week is the leading event of its type in the world.  The quality of the Graduates on show is amazing.

I am so proud to be chosen to take Graduate Fashion Week forward. It's something I have been working towards for while. My team and I are planning some big changes over the next few years but for next year we are looking to develop some exciting new offerings

As for my job -  it is directing everything - the job description itself is 18 pages long.

You’ve just wrapped up your 11th season of Vauxhall Fashion Scout at London Fashion Week to resounding praise. What elements of Fashion Scout will be transported to Graduate Fashion Week?

Excitement and new ways to showcase talent. Vauxhall Fashion Scout is now the only major independent event at LFW and so we have unique experience in developing sponsorship and showcasing new talent

Social media will also play a major role in GFW and it will be the first thing we will develop.

What can members of The Industry do to get involved with Graduate Fashion Week?

There are great mentoring and placement projects that members will be able to get involved with. We will have more details soon.
Also coming along to the actual event in June to see first hand and support the amazing talent coming out of the UK's universities.

Do you have any other projects in the pipeline?

I think directing two of the UK's largest fashion events is enough for now, but I'll be keeping an eye out for new opportunities.