Bianca Saunders Inspires Emerging Creatives with a Message of Authenticity and Purpose at GTCO Fashion Weekend.| Blissful Affairs Online
British-Jamaican designer Bianca Saunders, known for her bold fusion of culture, tailoring, and identity, delivered an insightful and inspiring session at the GTCO Fashion Weekend 2025 Masterclass, where she shared her journey, principles, and lessons on building a sustainable fashion brand.
Speaking to a hall filled with young creatives, fashion entrepreneurs, and design enthusiasts, Saunders emphasized the importance of purpose-driven creativity and staying true to one’s cultural story.
“You want to create something that’s new but also with purpose,” she said. “Ask yourself, what is the point of making it? Is it to be stylish, or to inspire people who speak to your world?”
Saunders shared her humble beginnings, recounting how she started her label with a single sewing machine and the support of one intern. She described those early days as foundational in teaching her resilience, resourcefulness, and an appreciation for every step in the fashion process.
“I did everything myself, from cutting patterns to packaging orders,” she said. “That experience taught me that before you can lead a fashion brand, you must understand it from the ground up.”
She also spoke candidly about the financial realities of the fashion industry, urging emerging designers to be disciplined and strategic.
“Fashion and money can go very quickly. It’s a very expensive industry,” Saunders warned. “You need to be cautious about how you manage your finances—only take loans when absolutely necessary.”
Throughout her address, Saunders stressed professionalism and authenticity as keys to longevity in the industry.
“Looking big doesn’t mean pretending,” she added. “It means being professional from your visuals to how your brand aligns with the kind of designers you aspire to stand beside.”
Her session echoed the GTCO Fashion Weekend’s broader mission of empowering African creatives to build brands that reflect their stories, celebrate identity, and compete globally. Attendees left with practical insight and renewed motivation to build purpose-led fashion businesses.
Saunders, whose eponymous label has showcased in Paris and London, continues to be a voice for cultural fusion in menswear, blending her Jamaican heritage with refined British tailoring. Her presence at the GTCO Fashion Weekend masterclass reinforced her reputation as one of the most influential designers redefining modern fashion through authenticity, heritage, and vision.
