Tender is the Night

Gavin Pierre Medford is a visionary fashion designer whose work is a vibrant fusion of historical reverence and avant-garde innovation.

 

Born in London and the youngest of four children, He was an attentive child, who enchanted by his mother and sister’s style and the clothes and accessories they wore, began designing day dresses and evening gowns from the age of six.

Having a mother and grandmother who designed and made their own clothes and an uncle as a bespoke tailor presented an excellent foundation for Medford. 

He decided from a very early stage that his future lie within the fashion industry.

Design and construction became second nature to him and having been taught embroidery and knit by his mother and crochet by his sister, he found influence in many aspects of the creative industry from contemporary and conceptual design to melodramatic and theatrical costume.

 

With a deep appreciation for both classic and experimental styles, Medford has spent his career exploring the intersections of beauty, eccentricity, and sophistication.

His designs are distinguished by their complex pattern-cutting techniques and exquisite craftsmanship, which bring to life garments that feel as adventurous as they do elegant.

Drawing from a diverse array of inspirations—ranging from the ornate silhouettes of period costumes to the bold lines of contemporary fashion—Medford creates pieces that are timeless yet forward-looking.

His work embodies a respect for the past while pushing the boundaries of modern design, embodying qualities such as romance, sophistication, and eclecticism.

With an appreciation for refined aesthetics, Medford’s garments tell stories, capturing an allure that feels as personal as it does universal.

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At 17, Medford attended the first of three courses at the University of the Arts London - London College of Fashion, specialising in embroidery and surface texture, culminating with the BA Hons in Fashion Design and Technology, specialising in Menswear Tailoring.

A few months after graduating, he beat hundreds to become a finalist for the Young Designer of the Year Award presented by Zandra Rhodes.

 

Medford has always been inspired by the past, movies of all genres especially historical/period dramas and mystical/fantasy movies. He delights in searching for the underlying themes within subjects, the hard edged, the dark and melancholy to the beautiful and romantic.

He has a passion for researching and adapting historical costume for wearability as well as modifying historical pattern cutting techniques to create an exciting and unique silhouette.

 

Past themes have been as diverse as aspects of the Ridley Scott movie ‘Blade Runner’, the 1910 Parisian designer Erte, Hans Christian Anderson’s story ‘The Emperors New Clothes’ and 17th century English gentlemen being hunted by vampires!

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Medford’s brand ethos is built around a commitment to sustainability and responsibility. Passionate about the future of fashion, he integrates eco-friendly practices and quality craftsmanship into his production process, ensuring that each piece is as

responsible as it is luxurious.

His designs, rich in texture and detail, serve as an homage to high-quality materials and sustainable processes, merging the concept of luxury with conscious production methods.

 

Medford has travelled the world designing outfits and styling music videos for pop and rock groups, designed red carpet outfits for various celebrities and has won awards for his work.

In 2006 he was nominated for four awards at the UK Urban Fashion Awards

and won Street Wear Designer of the Year.

The following year, he was also nominated and won the award for the

Menswear Designer of the Year 2007.

In 2008 he received a nomination for New Designer of the Year at UK Fashion Awards.

In 2009 and 2010 he was nominated for Designer of the Year at the BEFFTA Awards.

 

Medford has dressed celebrities for events such as the Kelly Rowland’s “Ms Kelly” Tour, The MOBO’s, WAHL Awards, Screen Nation Awards, Black Beauty Hair Awards, London Fashion Week After Party, as well as showing collections as part of Kulture2Couture at the prestigious Victoria and Albert Museum.

 

Since 2011 he has been showcasing pieces in a travelling exhibition celebrating “The Little Black Dress” from Coco Chanel to the present day. His dresses are shown alongside established design houses such as Yves Saint Laurent, Vivienne Westwood, Lanvin, Issey Miyake and Comme des Garcons.

 

Medford’s collections speak to those who seek more than just clothing;

they speak to those in search of art.

His garments are for the individual who loves to experiment, who appreciates the romance of history but seeks a contemporary edge. 

His garments reflect, like everything before them, his training, his commitment to hard work

and excellence, his originality and his sense of fun.

Known for his adventurous silhouettes and bold pattern techniques, Medford has carved out a space in fashion that feels distinctly his own—a space where elegance meets innovation, where every garment is both a statement and a timeless piece.