Isabelle Pennington-Edmead is a designer with a mission—one who understands that fashion is more than fabric; it is a language, a form of resistance, and a tool for reimagining history. As a storyteller through textiles, she is carving out a space where craftsmanship meets activism, sustainability meets heritage, and clothing becomes a living archive of the past and a blueprint for the future.
Inspired by her Windrush roots, Isabelle’s designs explore identity, migration, and the overlooked histories that shape Britain today. Her critically acclaimed collection, “Windrush”, reclaimed traditional domestic textiles—doilies, tablecloths, and heirloom fabrics—to craft garments that carry both memory and meaning. In a fast-fashion world obsessed with speed and disposability, her work demands slowness, reflection, and reverence for the stories woven into every stitch.
Her impact is already being felt. Named a Drapers 30 Under 30, a King’s Foundation Young Entrepreneur of the Year, and a Sarabande Foundation scholar, she is leading a new generation redefining fashion as a space for cultural dialogue and ethical creation. Isabelle is not just designing clothes; she is shaping a new way of thinking about fashion—who it serves, what it represents, and how it can be done differently.
She is also expanding these ideas beyond the industry itself. By bridging fashion with education, art, and activism, she is creating an impact that extends far beyond the runway.
Manchester has always been a city of reinvention, where creatives don’t wait for permission to make their mark. Isabelle Pennington-Edmead belongs to that legacy—a designer, a maker, a changemaker—crafting garments that don’t just dress the present, but honour the past and shape the future.
About Frameworthy
Frameworthy is an uplifting and powerful exhibition series celebrating those making the greatest difference—changemakers—through art. Held throughout the UK and further afield in iconic arts-related and cultural venues, Frameworthy exhibitions and art shows are unique and inspiring occasions where changemakers from all backgrounds come together, mingling in front of art that honours them, alongside dignitaries, the press, and fellow changemakers.
Through powerful storytelling, breathtaking art, and unforgettable exhibitions, Frameworthy celebrates impact, community, and the beauty of cultural spaces. Each portrait is created at no cost to the changemaker, ensuring that those shaping our world are recognised in the timeless medium of art.
More than just an exhibition, Frameworthy is a joyful, diverse, and meaningful celebration—where changemakers, remarkable venues, and the communities they serve are honoured and uplifted.
Discover more about Frameworthy’s exhibitions and the people we celebrate here.
