Textiles graduate named in royal network championing young innovators and changemakers

A Manchester Met textiles graduate has been named in The King’s Foundation’s 35 under 35, a network championing the next generation of young creatives, innovators and changemakers. 

Isabelle Pennington-Edmead, who graduated in 2019 from MA Textiles in Fashion at Manchester Met’s Manchester School of Art, was praised for her commitment to sustainability with her successful fashion brand which combines Caribbean heritage with British craftmanship.

Pennington-Edmead recently attended a celebration event for the 35 under 35 network at Dumfries House in Scotland where she met King Charles.

She was invited to add an item to a time capsule that was representative of her craft to mark The King’s Foundation’s 35^th anniversary, which will be opened 100 years from now. 

Pennigton-Edmead said: “It was an honour to be chosen for the 35 under 35 network alongside so many passionate and talented young people. Meeting King Charles at Dumfries House was an extraordinary experience, one that I’ll never forget, and having the chance to talk to him about my craft and show the work from my brand was a real privilege. 

“I added a silk hair scrunchie to the time capsule which I created using the off cuts from some of my pieces. It’s exciting to be part of a moment of history that will be dug up in 100 years’ time.”

The 35 under 35 initiative is a network of young makers and changemakers working across different fields including craftmanship, sustainable fashion, architecture, health and environmentalism, brought together as part of the 35^th anniversary of The King’s Foundation to advocate for positive change. 

As part of the network, the young people have the chance to showcase their work at a range of events, network with the Foundation’s students, alumni, and ambassadors, as well as working with high-profile mentors including Princess Eugenie, designer Dr Samuel Ross MBE, artist and influencer ‘Sophie Tea Art’, and historian and content creator Alice Loxton.

Pennington-Edmead founded her eponymous sustainable womenswear brand in 2023 which creates bold, hand-painted prints and ethically made garments inspired by her Caribbean heritage. 

Her work celebrates individuality, craftsmanship, and transparency, values which are championed by the King’s Foundation and their long-standing commitment to traditional skills and sustainable design. 

While studying at Manchester Met, she received a start-up grant from Santander Universities UK to develop her entrepreneurial skills which helped to kickstart her business. 

Most recently Pennington-Edmead launched a Caribbean-themed collection with retail giant ASOS, her work was featured on the online retailer YOOX NET-A-PORTER as part of The King’s Foundation Modern Artisan programme, and she was named in Drapers 30 Under 30 2024.  

She is currently working on new designs for her brand and is planning to bring out an online and in-person Christmas market pop-up featuring gifts created from scrap materials and offcuts from previous collections. 

Rachel Kelly, Reader in Design Education at Manchester School of Art at Manchester Met, said: “Isabelle’s career is demonstrating how the creative seeds planted during a Postgraduate Taught study can grow into something truly independent and successful. 

“Isabelle embodies what it means to be a British graduate designer, leading firstly with bravery, but also in the building of a supportive community around her work and values. She’s a real inspiration to our current MA students and demonstrates that their alumni journey can lead to the building of a thriving design career right here in the UK.”