Olya Kuryshchuk

While studying fashion design at Central Saint Martins, Kuryshchuk realised students were not given enough exposure to showcase their creative talents nor sufficient guidance on how to break into the industry after graduation. In 2012, she founded 1 Granary and its first student magazine was published in 2013 with the support of Comme des Garçons.

Five years on, the magazine has grown into a network of global support for students graduating from Central Saint Martins and the Royal College of Art in London, Parsons in New York and the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Antwerp. Following the launch of its first issue, Kuryshchuk founded 1 Granary Showroom, where over 60 designers were represented during its first year, created a portfolio of partners to promote design talent globally, and developed an events programme in London and New York, aimed at providing emerging designers with industry knowledge and guidance on career development.

In 2017, Kuryshchuk launched Void, a new project that partners young talent with industry professionals and aims to boost the emerging designers around the world by challenging how fashion is produced, distributed and consumed. In 2018, Void took part in the Copenhagen International Fashion Fair (CIFF), collaborated with Red Hook Labs in New York and Tomorrow in Paris. In 2019, the magazine invited six creative directors to join the second edition of Void, which became part of the official London Fashion Week schedule.

Through partnerships, talks, events and the magazine, 1 Granary provides a platform for established photographers and stylists to work with students and graduates, creating opportunities for young talent to enter the industry. In 2019, 1 Granary collaborated on an exhibition with Paul Kooiker, Jack Davison , Marton Perlaki and Katie Burnett to showcase the work of MFA Parsons New York graduates in Paris.