3 fresh graduates in fashion design to keep an eye on in 2025

While fashion evolves over time, new designers also follow this progression. But who will be the next designers and stylists to shape the future of fashion? Which creatives will continue the legacy of fashion by becoming the next major artistic directors, and who will create new iconic houses that transform the future of fashion through technology, sustainability, and the fusion of art and social causes? As Generation Z increasingly defines what is considered "fashionable" and what isn't, we see the rise of collections and brands inspired by freedom movements, distinct from today’s approach, as we face greater sociological struggles than previous generations. After extensive research, here is a non-exhaustive list of designers who we believe will shape the future of fashion and are steadily emerging as figures capable of genuinely changing the way we view the world around us.

Lucian Príeto-Sánchez

Lucian Príeto-Sánchez, a Cuban-New Yorker designer and stylist and a graduate of Polimoda, is undoubtedly one of the most noteworthy creators today. The designer and founder of the brand Afrobodega has been delivering striking looks and shows since his debut. Inspired by Black and Latin cultures, he focuses on social issues and promotes pride, whether addressing race or sexuality. Afrobodega exemplifies that the future of fashion must hold a deeper meaning beyond aesthetics designed to sell and generate profit. In an interview, when asked, "Can you tell me a bit more about what Afrobodega represents and how the idea came about?", he responded: "In general, I would say the brand emerged out of frustration. Many Black students at university were particularly frustrated with the administration, the way it was managed, and how more cultural projects were perceived compared to locally recognized fashion images. But it also tells a universal story for all minorities: the only way to thrive in contexts not made for us to succeed is by building our own communities, helping each other, and creating spaces where we can collaborate on art, fashion, and music. That’s the goal we strive for: having a space where people can create together."

When asked about the future and his projects, he stated that he is currently working with his team on the next collection, which will take the form of an internally-produced fashion film. "We are finalizing the physical collection before conceptualizing how we will present it. As for a preview, based on all the collections we’ve released so far, most are inspired by historical references that we’ve chosen as a foundation. However, for this one, I think it’s the first time we’re focusing on something very current. It’s not so much about the past but more about the present and slightly about the future. The concept itself remains true to the brand’s ethos: creating internal communities that work in safe spaces while establishing collaborations among various artists from different backgrounds,” he explained.

Paco Fausset Leroy Thomas

Paco Fausset Leroy Thomas, a recent graduate of the Institut Français de la Mode at just 21 years old, embodies a deep passion for creativity and design. Raised in Paris, the city that shaped his artistic sensibility, Paco built his academic path around the arts. After focusing on applied arts in high school, he refined his expertise with a specialization in fashion, laying the groundwork for a promising career in the industry. When asked how he would describe his design philosophy as a young graduate and what distinguishes his work in today’s creative landscape, Paco responds: “Throughout our personal evolution, whether physical or moral, our interactions with society also evolve. This evolution can sometimes displease, disturb or even offend some people. In such cases, the exchanges become abrupt, frontal and provocative, but also marked by curiosity. It's through clothing that I like to convey the emotions felt during these confrontations. Clothing can become a weapon, not only through its material, but also through its movement and construction. It can help to assert what you want to convey. Under the weight of hasty judgements, all we have to do is dive into the relativistic ocean that deafens our experience, while harbouring a prefiguration of death: the hypersexualisation of our own bodies. This collection is an opportunity to create a life-size version of my ideal. It encourages us to hypersexualise our own bodies. Like a dream, each of my silhouettes is ready to conquer its fears and assert its place."

When it comes to his projects, his latest collection or other pieces of which he is particularly proud, the story or the concept behind them, Paco says that the biggest challenge he faced in creating his collection was to materialise his subject. "Each silhouette had to be a clear representation of my ideal. I didn't want any of them to be perceived in a vulgar way. I'm talking about emotions, sensuality, sexuality, and the complexity of existing in the eyes of a society that isn't always welcoming. Although we often find representations in photography or film, I haven't yet been able to explore this theme through fashion. That's why it was such an important challenge to translate my ideas into fabric," he explains. One of the pieces that particularly intrigued him, Paco says, was the representation of a giant fall, worn as a skirt by a woman. Inspired by illustrations from the 1600-1700s, which depict creatures representing men topped by huge falls, this creation was produced entirely using 3D printing by the Poolp company. ‘It was a real challenge for them and for me, because it was a great discovery to work with this type of material,’ he concludes.

Sophie Gontard

Sophie Gontard, 22, who has Franco-American roots, brings a unique and nuanced cultural perspective to her work. Born and raised in Paris, Sophie embarked on an international academic path after high school, completing a preparatory year in the UK. She then returned to her hometown to join the Institut Français de la Mode, where she successfully completed her BA degree last June. "I'm often inspired by everyday things. Even if they're simple, I like to explore how they can be transformed into something more. That's what I've tried to do in my collection by basing my looks on very basic clothes, like a white t-shirt. That's why, for example, I really appreciate and draw inspiration from the work of Erwin Wurm, particularly his exploration of absurdity and distortion. His ability to transform something banal into something strange or humorous resonates with me. For my collection, I was particularly inspired by old cartoons like Flat Stanley, for example. Seeing how clothes are drawn in a humorous way, often for children, helped me to come up with ideas for transforming these pieces of everyday clothing into a collection. Mixing these influences helps me to create pieces that are both familiar and absurd, trying to keep recognisable elements while developing new silhouettes," she told us in an interview.

As for her short but promising career, she tells us that one of her favourite moments was during the two weeks leading up to the fashion show for her graduation collection: "Seeing my collection come to life alongside the creations of my friends and classmates was really gratifying. Throughout the year, we created a collaborative and super caring environment, where everyone genuinely helped each other to move forward. Contrary to the stereotype of competition between fashion students, I felt a real camaraderie that helped us all to develop. Seeing everyone's work come to fruition after a year of intense work made me proud, not just of myself, but of everyone," she concludes.