About
Dr. Samuel Ross MBE (26 May 1991), a British artist & designer.
Ross was born in Brixton, London, to second-generation Windrush parents of Caribbean descent.
His contributions to Fashion are well-documented, having been awarded numerous times, including three British Fashion Awards, two GQ awards, and the Hublot Design Prize.
Ross’ practice spans from intimate solo exhibitions with White Cube and Friedman Benda, to innovative wearable objects engineered with LVMH group, Nike group and Apple group.
Ross’ works sit within The Metropolitan Museum of Art, and Victoria & Albert Museum permanent collections.
He worked extensively with the late Virgil Abloh, as his first design assistant for numerous years, he exchanged thoughts, ideas and concepts with the generational polymath.
In 2014 Ross independently founded A-COLD-WALL*, a luxury sportswear brand, self-described as a ‘material study for social architecture’. In 2023, Ross sold his majority stake in the company, and exited his position as Chair Of The Board, having established global retail stores, runway collections and numerous collaborations between 2014, to 2023. His final contribution to the company was the A-COLD-WALL* x Nike campaign, across 2023.
In 2019 Ross founded SR_A SR_A. Its function is that of an ongoing exploration into the artisan-driven, industrial beautification of precious garments, objects and space.
In 2020, Ross founded The Black British Artist Grants Programme. Ross summarises the endeavour as ‘holistic design for change’.
The programme has independently provided 50 artists with funding, connecting the next generation of talent to global institutions.
The programme advisory board is comprised of the following institutions:
The Kings Foundation, The V&A Museum, The British Fashion Council, The Royal College of Art, The Design Museum and The University of Westminster.
Honours and Awards
- 2024: Appointed Artistic Director of the London Design Bienalle 2025.
- 2023: Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for services to fashion.
- 2022: London Chamber Of Commerce – Outstanding Contribution To Fashion.
- 2022: Soho House Award – Established Change-maker Award – September.
- 2021: British Fashion Award – Leader of Change Award – December.
- 2021: Honorary PhD appointed by the University of Westminster – ‘Doctor of Arts’ – November.
- 2020: British Fashion Award – People of the Year (Philanthropy) – Winner.
- 2020: GQ USA Fashion Award – Winner.
- 2020: International Woolmark Prize 2020 – Finalist.
- 2019: BFC Newgen 2019/2020 recipient.
- 2019: BFC GQ Fashion Fund Award – Winner.
- 2019: Forbes 30 Under 30 Europe.
- 2019: Hublot LVMH Design Prize — Winner.
- 2018: BFC Newgen 2018/2019 recipient.
- 2018: Andam Grand Prize – Nominee.
- 2018: LVMH Prize – Finalist.
- 2018: British Fashion Award – Emerging Talent Menswear – Winner.
- 2017: BFC Newgen 2017/2018 recipient.
Acquisitions & Permanent collections
- The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, USA.
- Victoria & Albert Museum, London, UK.
- National Museum of Scotland, Edinburgh.
- Design Museum, London, UK.
- Dallas Museum of Art, Dallas, TX.
- Denver Art Museum, Denver, CO.
- Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, TX.
Contact
Direct all studio and gallery enquires to the following;
service@sr-a.com