Adrien Yakimov Roberts

International Director of Education at Accademia Costume & Moda, Rome, Italy
International Trustee of Graduate Fashion Foundation, GFW, London, UK.
British born and educated, Adrien Roberts started his career studying Fashion Design at Central St. Martin’s.
Before starting degree studied Technical Illustration for two years in the north of England. Following the Foundation course, he studied mainly menswear Fashion at CSM. While at CSM participated in exchange programme with Parsons School of Design NY, where he studied Fashion Illustration. Always wanting to research and experiment, recognising the scope for change in Menswear, went on to study the subject at Master’s Level at the Royal College of Art in London. However, during the time between undergraduate and postgraduate study work in the field of fashion forecasting and Illustration.
Following graduation Adrien moved to Italy and gained experience working for many menswear brands, before setting up a knitwear label under his own name. The Adrien Parry Roberts collections sold in London, New York, Hong Kong and Tokyo in some of the world’s top stores. It was during this time Adrien began to teach fashion design, taking a variety of roles at many different institutes internationally and occasionally working as a freelance fashion illustrator.
On moving back to the UK became involved in fulltime education at UAL, University of the Arts London, and later taking role of Programme Leader – Fashion Design, Enterprise & Innovation at UCA, University of the Creative Arts.
Later named as Group Director of Education at Istituto Marangoni in Milan, London & Paris, responsible for the initial validation process and quality assurance for the British QAA review.
Currently Director of Education at Accademia Costume & Moda in Rome, Italy responsible for internationalisation and programme and academic development at the prestigious Roman academy. Also working with partner schools globally.
For many years Adrien has been an executive trustee and part of the executive committee of the charity Graduate Fashion Foundation creating GFW London. Personally, responsible for developing the International Show and awards which currently representing some of the top 70 schools globally making it the biggest international graduate event.
Adrien has been an official talent scout at events, jury member, mentor and inspirational guide; attending events, fashion institutions and fashion weeks internationally over the past few years – across Europe & UK, Russia, USA, Sri Lanka, India, United Arab Emirates, Colombia, Korea, Japan and China.
Constantly passionate about design Adrien continues to research, design and create.
Being involved in education he sees as the best opportunity not only to inspire but to also learn, experiment and expand knowledge across cultures and disciplines.