Wayne Hemingway, English fashion designer, co-founded Red or Dead

Wayne Andrew Hemingway (born 19 January 1961) is an exceptionally influential English designer, widely celebrated as the visionary co-founder of the iconic British fashion label, Red or Dead. Launched in 1982 with his wife Gerardine, Red or Dead rapidly gained prominence for its distinctive, youth-centric streetwear and a unique vintage-inspired aesthetic. The brand not only achieved significant commercial success but also garnered critical acclaim, including multiple British Fashion Council Street Style Awards, firmly establishing the Hemingways as innovative forces in the fashion industry before the company's sale in 1999.

Hemingway's significant contributions extend well beyond the fashion realm, particularly within public service and the built environment sector. He serves as a distinguished member of the Design Council Trustee Board, a crucial role within the UK's national strategic advisor for design, an organization dedicated to championing the transformative power of design to improve lives and stimulate economic growth. His profound commitment to fostering high-quality urban development is underscored by his extensive involvement with the Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment (CABE). For a remarkable decade since CABE's inception, he played an instrumental role, notably as Chair of Building For Life, where he helped shape national standards and best practices for creating well-designed homes and vibrant, sustainable neighbourhoods. Following CABE's integration into the Design Council, Hemingway continues to lend his invaluable expertise as a key member of the Design Council CABE Committee, ensuring the enduring legacy of thoughtful and sustainable urban planning.

His far-reaching influence is also deeply embedded within academia. Wayne Hemingway holds the esteemed position of Professor in The Built Environment Department of Northumbria University, where he actively contributes to educating and inspiring future generations of designers, architects, and urban planners. His exceptional impact on the field of design has been recognized through the conferment of multiple honorary Doctor of Design degrees from prestigious institutions including Wolverhampton, Lancaster, and Stafford universities. Furthermore, he is a respected Fellow of Blackburn College and a Senior Fellow of Regent's University London, reflecting the breadth of his academic engagement and the high esteem in which his expertise is held across various educational and professional spheres.

Frequently Asked Questions about Wayne Hemingway

• What is Wayne Hemingway primarily known for?

  Wayne Hemingway is best known as the co-founder of the celebrated British fashion brand Red or Dead and for his influential work in promoting quality design within the built environment.

• What was Red or Dead?

  Red or Dead was an innovative and highly successful British fashion label co-founded by Wayne and Gerardine Hemingway in 1982, recognized for its distinctive streetwear and vintage-inspired designs.

• What is the Design Council's role?

  The Design Council is the UK's national strategic advisor for design, working to demonstrate the value of design in improving public services, business, and daily life.

• What was CABE and what is Building For Life?

  CABE (Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment) was a former UK government advisory body that aimed to improve the quality of architecture and urban design. Building For Life is a national standard, initially a CABE initiative and now managed by the Design Council, that provides a quality mark for well-designed new homes and neighbourhoods.

• Does Wayne Hemingway have academic affiliations?

  Yes, he is a Professor in The Built Environment Department of Northumbria University, holds honorary Doctor of Design degrees from multiple universities (Wolverhampton, Lancaster, Stafford), and is a Fellow of Blackburn College and a Senior Fellow of Regent's University London.