Lesley Mobo facts for kids

Lesley Mobo is a talented fashion designer from the Philippines. He is known for his amazing designs and is based in London.

Lesley Mobo's Journey in Fashion

Lesley Mobo started his fashion career in the Philippines. He later moved to London to study fashion design. Even though he had a degree in Biology and a scholarship for medical school, he chose to follow his passion for fashion.

Early Success and Awards

In 2002, Lesley graduated from Central Saint Martins, a famous fashion school. His final collection, called "Maniac," was a big hit. It was even sponsored by the luxury brand Cerruti 1881. He won the Colin Barnes Award for fashion illustration. His work was also shown at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London. The BBC News even featured his designs!

Working with Big Names

After graduating, Lesley was interviewed by the famous designer John Galliano for Christian Dior. He also helped other designers like Clements Ribeiro and Cacharel. In 2002, he was hired by Mohammed Al Fayed, who owned the famous Harrods department store in London. Lesley helped create a new lifestyle brand for Harrods.

Leading Designer Roles

In 2003, Lesley became the Head Designer for the Jasmine Di Milo label. He helped the brand grow a lot. They showed their collections at Paris Fashion Week in grand places like the Hôtel Ritz Paris. Their designs were sold in over 370 stores around the world.

Advanced Studies and New Collections

Lesley continued his studies at Central Saint Martins, earning a Master's degree in 2004. He studied under the legendary professor Louise Wilson. His Master's collection, "Obesity in the North Pole," was shown at London Fashion Week. It won the Emilio Pucci Award and the International Diesel Award. He was even invited to show his collection to students at the Oxford Union at University of Oxford.

In 2005, Lesley designed a special collection for Diesel. It was made with a unique fiber called Ingeo. This collection sold out quickly in major Diesel stores worldwide. He also designed men's underwear for Absolut Label 1879 in partnership with Absolut Vodka.

Collaborations and Global Reach

In 2008, Lesley joined an advisory panel for the London College of Fashion. He was also invited by Ayala Corporation to show his Matavenero Collection in the Philippines. That same year, he created his own underwear line for men and women with Bench, a popular brand in Asia.

In 2009, Lesley started selling his MOBO womenswear line in Paris. His clothes were even displayed at the Musée du Louvre and featured in Italian Vogue magazine. His brand is now sold in many countries, including Japan, Korea, Greece, Russia, and the Middle East.

After leaving Harrods, Lesley was asked by L'Wren Scott in 2011 to lead her global design team. He helped improve her fashion brand and increase sales.

Television and Major Shows

In 2012, Lesley Mobo was the final judge on Project Runway Philippines Season 3. This episode was very popular. Later that year, he put on one of the biggest fashion shows in Southeast Asia. It took place at the Mall of Asia Arena and featured 45 of his designs for Cignal Digital TV and TV5.

From 2012 to 2015, Lesley worked as a consultant for many fashion brands. From 2013 to 2015, he designed a T-shirt line called "MOBO Lesley Mobo" for the huge Japanese brand Uniqlo. These T-shirts were bestsellers in Uniqlo stores for four years across Asia, Australia, and the U.S.A.

In 2014, Lesley was recognized in the 6th edition of Who's Who in Fashion. This important book was published by Bloomsbury Publishing.

In 2015, Lesley announced new underwear and perfume lines with Suyen Corporation and Bench. These products are mainly sold in Asia and the Middle East.

Later in 2015, Lesley was hired by Touker Suleyman to lead the design for the fashion label Ghost. Lesley also designed the famous "Salma dress" for the James Bond movie "Spectre." The dress was worn by Léa Seydoux and was ranked as one of the best Bond girl fashion moments by both American and British Vogue.

School of Fashion

On August 8, 2018, Lesley Mobo opened his own School of Fashion. He partnered with Meridian International Business, Arts and Technology College (MINT College). The school even offers scholarships through the Red Charity Gala, a Philippine fashion event.

Lesley Mobo Chocolates

In 2020, during the pandemic, Lesley created a special limited edition chocolate line called "Si Aida, Is Lorna, Is Fe." He worked with the Filipino chocolate brand Auro and Chef Victor Magsaysay. These chocolates were a tribute to the islands. They were sold in the Philippines, Taiwan, Bahrain, Australia, and Japan. The money raised helped Auro's programs that turn Filipino farmers into business owners.

Mobo's Influence and Recognition

Lesley Mobo has worked with many well-known brands like Uniqlo, Diesel, and Absolut Vodka. His designs have been shown in major exhibitions around the world. These include the Asian Fashion Grand Prix in Japan and the Fashion in Motion exhibition at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London.

His amazing designs have been worn by royalty, like the Queen of Morocco and the First Lady of the Philippines. Many celebrities have also worn his creations, including Rihanna, Anne Hathaway, Lady Gaga, Madonna, Angelina Jolie, and the Kardashians.

Lesley Mobo's work has been featured in many books and magazines. These include Fifty by Diesel, Generation Mode, and famous fashion magazines like Vogue Italia, Teen Vogue USA, and Vanity Fair. His designs have also appeared in major newspapers like The Times and The Guardian in the UK.