Andrew Groves Course Director
Andrew Groves has been the Course Director for the BA Fashion course at The University of Westminster since January 2003.
Groves is remembered for his controversial catwalk shows at London Fashion Week during the 1990's. His first scheduled show, "Ourselves Alone" referred to The Troubles in Ireland, combining the colours of the rival factions of Irish unionists and Irish republicans. The models wore orange sashes, grey suits, and charred green taffeta, with one model apparently setting herself on fire during the show.
"Cocaine Nights", (based on J.G. Ballard's novel) had the models walking on a catwalk apparently spread with sugar-like cocaine. One dress was made of razor blades. At the time, Bill Clinton,had condemned the fashion industry for glamorizing drug use, so this was seen as deliberate provocation.
Groves is known for his tailoring, and worked as head assistant to Alexander McQueen for several years. In addition to his runway collections, he has created costumes for Robbie Williams, Kylie Minogue, Suede, and The Spice Girls.
He has worked freelance as a creative consultant for fashion design companies in the UK and Japan, and as a design consultant for companies such as Nokia, Wedgwood, and The Coca-Cola Company.