Denise Ho, designer
Working as Assistant Designer to Head of Women’s Wear at Victor & Rolf (V & R), at the time of the 150th Anniversary celebrations in 2009, Denise Ho founded a career in high fashion after graduating a BA (Hons) at the University of Brighton and an MA at Central Saint Martins in London. She went on to work at London’s only couture house Boudicca. Beginning a relationship with them as an intern during her studies at Brighton, Denise went on to work there for about two years before relocating to V & R in Amsterdam. Taking characteristics from the Brighton course and coupling them with practical experience of working with boutiques and fashion houses in London, she forged a successful path as a fashion designer and creative consultant.
“Designers such as Boudicca and Viktor & Rolf inspire me. To have a reason for designing clothes. A strong concept, story, a world. This is also something I learned at Brighton and St Martins. My tutor in Brighton, Sue Chowles, really saw potential in me and pushed me to be more creative. She entered me into the British Fashion Council/Ariel Colour Awards Competition which I won and encouraged me to apply to Central St Martins.’
“Attracted to the creative side of fashion-associated business studies, Denise was interested in how the industry worked and this was key to choosing a suitable college.
Denise Ho went on to develop businesses through sustainable fashion ideas, creating Kitdo, a restyling and repurposing accessory, and Knotti, a sustainable collection made by knitters within a local Hong Kong community.