'He has the fashion world at his feet': Northampton College pays tribute to ex-pupil after starring in Apple advert

Northampton College has paid tribute to a former student who stars in a new advert for Apple after making waves in the global fashion industry.

The tech giant's high-profile Behind The Mac campaign features a series of British-based creators, including Samuel Ross – a former graphic design student at the Booth Lane college.

His ex-fashion tutor, Rachel Maughan, said: “It’s always pleasing to follow the careers of our students and see them enjoy the successes they so richly deserve.

"Samuel is clearly someone with an eye for design and he has perfectly gauged the demand for modern, urban fashion.

“By starring in this advert for one of the world’s biggest companies it can propel him to even greater heights and I can’t wait to see what the future holds for him. He has the fashion world at his feet.”

Samuel founded the in-demand designer label A-COLD-WALL, which has been worn by a string of celebrities including basketball legend LeBron James.

The work of the 29-year-old, who grew up in Northampton, has recently been shown in Milan and has seen his profile rocket in recent years, with other collaborations with worldwide brands, including Nike and Oakley.

The Apple advert highlights how he uses its technology to create eye-catching new designs and sees him feature alongside Game of Thrones star Maisie William, Vogue editor-in-chief Edward Enninful and designer Feng Chen Wang.

On his journey to the world of A-list fashion, he told Versus in 2018: "It’s funny really, as none of my family have a background in fashion at all. They have backgrounds in art and design.

"My father studied at Central Saint Martins and my mother is a painter. So fortunately, I had a spirit guide into the creative industry.

"Despite growing up Northampton – quite a working class and impoverished area – my parents always gave me a stake in the ground to push my creativity forward from a very young age."

Samuel continued: "When I got to the age of 10/11, I did my first work placement in a streetwear store in Northampton, which slowly opened me up to the world of fashion.

"By the age of 15/16, I was selling counterfeit Nike and adidas goods from my bedroom – way before many elements of this current resale culture even existed.

"I then ended up leaving the town I grew up in and formed a T-shirt brand at the age of 18, which went into three-to-four retailers in Leicestershire."