Samuel Ross

Ross was born in the Brixton neighbourhood of London, United Kingdom to second generation Windrush parents of Caribbean descent. Shortly after his birth he moved to Northamptonshire, United Kingdom.{{Cite web|title=Samuel Ross, Designer Of A-Cold-Wall*, Talks Streetwear And Breaking Down Social Barriers|url=https://www.vogue.co.uk/article/samuel-ross-a-cold-wall-interview|access-date=2021-04-03|website=British Vogue|date=10 December 2018 |language=en-GB}} He attended and graduated from de Montfort University, Leicester where he received first class honours for a Bachelor of Arts in Graphic Design and Illustration and was awarded the FSG design award in 2012.{{Cite web|date=2020-12-14|title=Samuel Ross unveils his material instinct for Hublot|url=https://www.esquiresg.com/samuel-ross-unveils-his-material-instinct-for-hublot/|access-date=2021-02-25|website=Esquire SG|language=en-GB}}{{Cite web |title=Samuel Ross {{!}} BoF 500 {{!}} The People Shaping the Global Fashion Industry |url=https://www.businessoffashion.com/amp/community/people/samuel-ross |access-date=2023-05-03 |website=www.businessoffashion.com}}

After graduating from university, Ross worked as a graphic and product designer for various commercial and industrial companies.

He went on to intern for, and subsequently hired by Virgil Abloh, who became Ross's mentor. In 2012 Ross became Abloh's first design assistant.{{CN|date=June 2024}} During his time working for Abloh, Ross also designed for Kanye West's creative content company Donda and related companies.{{Cite web |title=Samuel Ross Makes Sense Of Streetwear In High Fashion |url=https://tsingapore.com/article/samuel-ross-interview-a-cold-wall-fashion-designer-makes-sense-streetwear-high-fashion |access-date=2021-02-25 |website=T Singapore}}{{Cite news |last=Ferrier |first=Morwenna |date=2018-06-13 |title=A-Cold-Wall*'s Samuel Ross: 'Streetwear used to be a class thing' |url=https://www.theguardian.com/fashion/2018/jun/13/a-cold-walls-samuel-ross-streetwear-class-race-architecture-virgil-abloh-kanye-west-a-cold-wall |access-date=2024-06-12 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}

In 2014 Ross independently founded A-COLD-WALL*, a fashion label, self-described as a "material study for social architecture."{{Cite web |date=2022-06-29 |title=A-Cold-Wall Spring 2023 Menswear Collection |url=https://www.vogue.com/fashion-shows/spring-2023-menswear/a-cold-wall |access-date=2023-12-30 |website=Vogue |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |title=A-COLD-WALL |url=https://www.lvmhprize.com/designer/a-cold-wall/ |access-date=2023-12-30 |website=LVMH PRIZE}} The company was acquired by Tomorrow Ltd. in 2024.{{Cite web |last=Leitch |first=Luke |date=2024-02-20 |title=Tomorrow comes for Samuel Ross |url=https://www.voguebusiness.com/story/fashion/tomorrow-comes-for-samuel-ross |access-date=2024-04-03 |website=Vogue Business |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |date=2024-02-21 |title=Tomorrow Ltd Acquires Samuel Ross' A-Cold-Wall |url=https://www.businessoffashion.com/articles/luxury/tomorrow-ltd-acquires-samuel-ross-a-cold-wall/ |access-date=2024-04-03 |website=The Business of Fashion |language=en}}

In 2019 Ross founded SR_A SR_A. Ross launched SR_A (Samuel Ross & Associates) at the Hublot Prize exhibition in the Serpentine Gallery in 2019.{{Cite web |date=2019-09-23 |title=Samuel Ross Introduces New Design Venture Sr_A |url=https://hypebeast.com/2019/9/a-cold-wall-samuel-ross-sr-a-design |access-date=2021-02-25 |website=HYPEBEAST}} SR_A is a studio operating within the fields of artisan-driven, industrial beautification of precious garments, objects and space.{{Cite web |title=Conversations: Samuel Ross of A-Cold-Wall* |url=https://rodengray.com/blogs/interviews/conversations-samuel-ross |access-date=2021-02-25 |website=Roden Gray |language=en}}

In 2020 Ross established the Black British Artist Grants programme.{{Cite web |title=SR_A SR_A BLACK BRITISH ARTIST GRANTS |url=https://community.samuel-ross.com/ |access-date=2023-05-14 |website=community.samuel-ross.com}} Each year the scheme offers 10 bursaries of £2,500 to selected applicants from a range of art and design disciplines.{{Cite web |title=Applications open for the Samuel Ross Black British Artist Grant Programme 2022 |url=https://www.rca.ac.uk/news-and-events/news/applications-open-for-the-samuel-ross-black-british-artist-grant-programme-2022/ |access-date=2023-05-14 |website=RCA Website |language=en-GB}}{{Cite web |date=2022-08-15 |title=Samuel Ross' Black British Artist Grant Programme Launches for 2022 |url=https://hypebeast.com/2022/8/samuel-ross-black-british-artist-grant-programme-2022-grace-wales-bonner-application |access-date=2023-05-14 |website=Hypebeast}} Past recipients of the award include designer Mac Collins, designer Nifemi Marcus Bello,{{Cite web |last=Owoh |first=Ugonna-Ora |date=2022-12-20 |title=Nifemi Marcus-Bello is the Nigerian designer shaping Africa's designscape |url=https://www.wallpaper.com/design-interiors/nifemi-marcus-bello-nmbello-studio-interview |access-date=2024-06-12 |website=wallpaper.com |language=en}} photographer Ronan Mckenzie, and architect Dominique PetiteFrère.{{Cite web |last=Hughes |first=Stella |date=2022-08-17 |title=HERE'S HOW TO ENTER SAMUEL ROSS' BLACK BRITISH ARTIST GRANT PROGRAMME |url=https://culted.com/samuel-ross-black-british-artist-grant/ |access-date=2023-05-14 |website=CULTED |language=en-GB}}{{Cite web |last=Moss |first=Jack |date=2022-08-17 |title=Samuel Ross announces fourth chapter of Black British Artist Grant Programme |url=https://www.wallpaper.com/fashion/samuel-ross-announces-third-chapter-black-british-artist-grant-programme |access-date=2023-05-14 |website=wallpaper.com |language=en}} The programme has independently provided 50 artists with funding, connecting the next generation of talent to global institutions.{{CN|date=June 2024}} The programme advisory board is composed of the following: The Kings Foundation,{{Cite web |title=The King's Foundation |url=https://www.kings-foundation.org/ |access-date=2024-01-01 |website=www.kings-foundation.org}} The V&A Museum,{{Cite web |title=Fashion design: Samuel Ross / A-COLD-WALL* · V&A |url=https://www.vam.ac.uk/articles/fashion-design-samuel-ross-a-cold-wall |access-date=2024-01-01 |website=Victoria and Albert Museum |language=en}} The British Fashion Council,{{Cite web |title=British Fashion Council – Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging |url=https://www.britishfashioncouncil.co.uk/Innovation/Diversity-Equity-Inclusion--Belonging |access-date=2023-12-30 |website=www.britishfashioncouncil.co.uk}} The Royal College of Art,{{Cite web |title=Applications open for the Samuel Ross Black British Artist Grant Programme 2023 |url=https://www.rca.ac.uk/news-and-events/news/applications-open-for-the-samuel-ross-black-british-artist-grant-programme-2023/ |access-date=2023-12-30 |website=RCA Website |language=en-GB}} The Design Museum {{Cite web |author1=Jack Moss |date=2022-08-17 |title=Samuel Ross announces fourth chapter of Black British Artist Grant Programme |url=https://www.wallpaper.com/fashion/samuel-ross-announces-third-chapter-black-british-artist-grant-programme |access-date=2023-12-30 |website=wallpaper.com |language=en}} and The University of Westminster.{{Cite web |title=Andrew Groves will be on the Advisory Board for the Samuel Ross Black British Artist Grant Programme – 2022 {{!}} University of Westminster |url=https://www.westminster.ac.uk/news/andrew-groves-will-be-on-the-advisory-board-for-the-samuel-ross-black-british-artist-grant-programme-2022 |access-date=2023-12-30 |website=www.westminster.ac.uk |language=en}} Ross summarises the endeavour as "holistic design for change".{{CN|date=June 2024}}

In 2022 the Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A) held an exhibition titled Fashion design: Samuel Ross / A-COLD-WALL*, and in 2023 Ross exhibited his paintings and sculptures in a solo show titled Land at the White Cube gallery in London,{{Cite web |last=Elisha |first=Tawe |date=2023-04-06 |title=Samuel Ross at White Cube: Land, abstraction and the Black interior |url=https://www.wallpaper.com/design-interiors/samuel-ross-at-white-cube |access-date=2023-05-03 |website=wallpaper.com |language=en}}{{Cite news |date=2023-03-23 |title=Samuel Ross – master of the multidisciplinary space |work=Financial Times |url=https://www.ft.com/content/0ebd762f-16be-40d6-877e-40b8d3699d78 |access-date=2023-05-03}} as well as Coarse, and exhibition of sculptural pieces that was his second solo show at the Freidman Benda gallery in New York.{{Cite web |last=Sayej |first=Nadja |date=2023-05-24 |title=Samuel Ross' New Exhibition 'COARSE' Is Anything But |url=https://observer.com/2023/05/samuel-ross-coarse-friedman-benda-review/ |access-date=2023-05-25 |website=Observer |language=en-US}} His work was also included in the exhibition Mirror Mirror: Reflections on Design at Chatsworth at Chatsworth House, and The New Transcendence at Friedman Benda Gallery, NY (both curated by Glenn Adamson).{{Cite web |title=Mirror Mirror: Reflections on Design at Chatsworth |url=https://www.chatsworth.org/news-media/news-blogs-press-releases/mirror-mirror-a-new-exhibition-at-chatsworth-for-2023/ |access-date=2023-03-13 |website=www.chatsworth.org |language=en-GB}}{{Cite web |last=Bertoli |first=Rosa |date=2023-03-17 |title=Chatsworth House design exhibition explores contemporary design themes in an eclectic setting |url=https://www.wallpaper.com/design-interiors/chatsworth-house-design-exhibition-2023-mirror-mirror-reflections-on-design |access-date=2023-03-17 |website=wallpaper.com |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Madlener |first=Adrian |date=2023-03-17 |title=How Can You Make an English Manor Filled With Old Masters Feel Contemporary? At Chatsworth House, the Answer Is Cutting-Edge Design |url=https://news.artnet.com/art-world/glenn-adamson-craft-2271300 |access-date=2023-03-19 |website=Artnet News |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |title=Friedman Benda NY considers design as motifs of 'The New Transcendence' |url=https://www.stirpad.com/news/stir-news/friedman-benda-ny-considers-design-as-motifs-of-the-new-transcendence/ |access-date=2024-03-04 |website=www.stirpad.com |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Barandy |first=Kat |date=13 January 2024 |title=the new transcendence: friedman benda highlights artists from andrea branzi to samuel ross |url=https://www.designboom.com/art/new-transcendence-friedman-benda-exhibition-new-york-01-13-2023/ |access-date=4 March 2024 |website=designboom architecture & design magazine |language=en}} Examples of Ross's work are held in the collections of museums such as the Denver Art Museum, Dallas Museum of Art and the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, Texas, National Museum of Scotland, and the Design Museum and V&A in London.{{Cite web |title=Dallas Museum of Art Acquires Work by Samuel Ross – Friedman Benda |url=https://www.friedmanbenda.com/news/dallas-museum-of-art-acquires-work-by-samuel-ross/ |access-date=2023-05-28 |website=www.friedmanbenda.com}}{{Cite web |title=Denver Art Museum Acquires Work by Samuel Ross – Friedman Benda |url=https://www.friedmanbenda.com/news/denver-art-museum-acquires-work-by-samuel-ross/ |access-date=2023-12-26 |website=www.friedmanbenda.com}}{{Cite web |last=Prempeh |first=Charlene |date=2023-05-04 |title=Dalla moda al product design,alla pittura: l'ascesa multitasking di Samuel Ross |url=https://www.ilsole24ore.com/art/dalla-moda-product-designalla-pittura-l-ascesa-multitasking-samuel-ross-AE4NTmMD |access-date=2023-12-26 |website=Il Sole 24 ORE |language=it}}

In 2023, Ross was hired by Apple for the newly created role of "Principal Design Consultant for Beats".{{Cite web |last=Ilchi |first=Layla |date=2023-06-20 |title=Beats Taps A-Cold-Wall's Samuel Ross as Principal Design Consultant |url=https://wwd.com/menswear-news/mens-accessories/beats-a-cold-wall-samuel-ross-1235698098/ |access-date=2023-06-24 |website=WWD |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |date=2023-06-22 |title=Samuel Ross Appointed as Beats Principal Design Consultant |url=https://hypebeast.com/2023/6/samuel-ross-beats-principal-design-consultant-info |access-date=2023-06-24 |website=Hypebeast}}

In 2024 he designed a smart toilet and taps for Kohler.{{Cite web |last=Madlener |first=Adrian |date=2024-02-29 |title=Smart toilet by Samuel Ross for Kohler flushes out the inefficiencies of conventional designs |url=https://www.wallpaper.com/design-interiors/samuel-ross-kohler-toilet-formation-02 |access-date=2025-06-15 |website=Wallpaper* |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=2024-03-26 |title=Samuel Ross designs textured toilet that is "closer to a sculpture" |url=https://www.dezeen.com/2024/03/26/samuel-ross-designs-textured-toilet-that-is-closer-to-a-sculpture/ |access-date=2025-06-15 |website=Dezeen |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Sharma |first=Anushka |date=Apr 15, 2024 |title=Kohler x SR_A unveil limited-edition smart toilet 'Formation 02' and installation for MDW |url=https://www.stirworld.com/see-features-kohler-x-sr-a-unveil-limited-edition-smart-toilet-formation-02-and-installation-for-mdw |access-date=2025-06-15 |website=StirWorld |language=English}}{{Cite web |last=Madlener |first=Adrian |date=2023-09-20 |title=First look at Samuel Ross’ revolutionary faucet for Kohler |url=https://www.wallpaper.com/design-interiors/kohler-samuel-ross-faucet |access-date=2025-06-15 |website=Wallpaper* |language=en}}

Ross is the artistic director of the 2025 London Design Biennale.{{Cite web |date=2024-03-13 |title=Samuel Ross appointed artistic director of London Design Biennale 2025 |url=https://www.dezeen.com/2024/03/13/samuel-ross-artistic-director-london-design-biennale-2025/ |access-date=2024-10-06 |website=Dezeen}}{{Cite web |last=Bertoli |first=Rosa |date=2024-03-13 |title=Samuel Ross announced as artistic director of London Design Biennale 2025 |url=https://www.wallpaper.com/design-interiors/samuel-ross-london-design-biennale-2025-announcement |access-date=2024-10-06 |website=Wallpaper}}{{Cite web |title=London Design Biennale |url=https://londondesignbiennale.com/ |access-date=2024-10-06 |website=ldb-website |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Features |first=Francesca Perry published in |date=2025-06-09 |title=‘Designers are far more than just producers of commercial goods’: Samuel Ross on the London Design Biennale |url=https://www.wallpaper.com/design-interiors/samuel-ross-london-design-biennale |access-date=2025-06-27 |website=Wallpaper}}

Ross was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the 2024 New Year Honours for services to fashion.{{London Gazette|issue=64269|supp=y|page=N24|date=30 December 2023}}

Ross is the recipient of the 2018 British Fashion Award for Emerging Menswear Designer,{{Cite web|title=Samuel Ross is part of the BoF 500|url=https://www.businessoffashion.com/community/people/samuel-ross|access-date=2021-04-03|website=The Business of Fashion|language=en-GB}} the 2019 Hublot Design Prize,{{Cite web|last=Magazine|first=Wallpaper*|date=2019-09-27|title=A-Cold-Wall's Samuel Ross lifts the 2019 Hublot Design Prize|url=https://www.wallpaper.com/watches-and-jewellery/samuel-ross-2019-hublot-design-prize-winner|access-date=2021-04-03|website=Wallpaper*}} Forbes 30 under 30 Europe,{{Cite web|title=Samuel Ross|url=https://www.forbes.com/pictures/5c5c691a31358e2a162e8f01/samuel-ross/|access-date=2021-06-17|website=Forbes|language=en}} the 2020 GQ USA Fashion Award{{Cite web|last=Ma|first=Fiona|date=2019-06-10|title=A-Cold-Wall's Samuel Ross Wins the BFC/GQ Designer Menswear Fund Award|url=https://wwd.com/fashion-news/fashion-scoops/a-cold-walls-samuel-ross-wins-the-bfc-gq-designer-menswear-fund-award-1203164519/|access-date=2021-06-17|website=WWD|language=en-US}} and the 2020 People of the Year British Fashion Award for his philanthropic endeavours.{{Cite web|title=British Fashion Council – The Fashion Awards 2020 Honourees Announced|url=https://www.britishfashioncouncil.co.uk/bfcnews/4346/The-Fashion-Awards-2020-Honourees-Announced|access-date=2021-04-03|website=www.britishfashioncouncil.co.uk}} He received an honorary doctorate from The University of Westminster in 2021.{{Cite web |title=University of Westminster awards fashion designer Samuel Ross with Honorary Doctorate degree |url=https://www.westminster.ac.uk/news/university-of-westminster-awards-fashion-designer-samuel-ross-with-honorary-doctorate-degree |access-date=2021-12-05 |website=University of Westminster}} Ross is a recipient of a 2021 British Fashion Award, within the category 'Leaders of Change'.{{Cite web|date=2021-11-29|title=All the Winners from Britain's The Fashion Awards|url=https://www.vogue.com/article/british-fashion-council-the-fashion-awards-2021-winners|access-date=2021-12-05|website=Vogue|language=en-US}}

• 2012 FSG design award
• 2017 British Fashion Council (BFC) Newgen Award
• 2018 British Fashion Award, Emerging Talent
• 2018 LVMH Prize (finalist)
• 2018 Andam Grand Prize (nominated)
• 2018 BFC Newgen 2018/2019
• 2019 Hublot LVMH Design Prize
• 2019 Forbes 30 Under 30
• 2019 BFC GQ Fashion Fund Award
• 2019 BFC Newgen
• 2020 British Fashion Award, Person of the Year (philanthropy)
• 2020 GQ USA Fashion Award
• 2020 International Woolmark Prize 2020 (finalist)
• 2021 British Fashion Award, Leader of Change Award
• 2021 Honorary PhD (Doctor Honoris Causa) conferred by the University of Westminster
• 2022 London Chamber Of Commerce, Outstanding Contribution To Fashion
• 2022 Soho House Award, Established Change-maker Award
• 2023 Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for services to fashion
• 2024 Best Contemporary Design Object, DESIGN MIAMI.BASEL{{Cite web |title=Best Contemporary Design Object: Fire Opens Stone Bench by Samuel Ross, presented by Friedman Benda |url=https://designmiami.com/article/best-of-show-at-design-miami-basel-2024 |access-date=2024-06-12 |website=Design Miami |language=en}}
• 2025 Elle Deco International Design Award (EDIDA){{Cite web |title=Dr. Samuel Ross MBE |url=https://www.edida-awards.com/designer/dr-samuel-ross-mbe |access-date=2025-05-10 |website=www.edida-awards.com |language=en-GB}}{{Cite web |date=2025-04-16 |title=Samuel Ross MBE tells the story of his most treasured possession |url=https://www.elledecoration.co.uk/design/people/a64499876/samuel-ross-treasured/ |access-date=2025-05-10 |website=ELLE Decoration |language=en-GB}}

• {{Official website}}
• [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P5cVVwDXsYU&ab_channel=VictoriaandAlbertMuseum Architectural Fashion Design], brief documentary interview by Carlos Jimenez for the Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A)
• [https://timesensitive.fm/episode/samuel-ross-on-the-art-of-awakening-materials/ Samuel Ross on the Art of "Awakening" Materials], podcast with Spencer Bailey for Time Sensitive

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Ross, Samuel}}

Category:1991 births

Category:Living people

Category:Alumni of De Montfort University

Category:Apple Inc. people

Category:Artists from the London Borough of Lambeth

Category:Artists from Northamptonshire

Category:Black British artists

Category:Creative directors

Category:English fashion designers

Category:English furniture designers

Category:English industrial designers

Category:English people of West Indian descent

Category:Fashion designers from London

Category:Members of the Order of the British Empire

Category:People from Brixton

Category:People from Northamptonshire

Category:Product designers

Category:Shoe designers