Model, presenter, and Bath Fashion Festival founder, Jade Parfitt is no stranger to the ever-evolving world of fashion. With Bath Fashion Festival just around the corner, Jade sat down with us to talk about the whirlwind behind the scenes, her vision for making fashion more accessible, and what’s currently inspiring her.
From bringing the festival to life and balancing family time, Jade is the definition of creative multitasking and her passion for connecting people to the industry she’s loved for decades is both infectious and inspiring.
Bath Fashion Festival is taking place on 7th and 8th June 2025 at The Holburne Museum, Bath. Get your tickets here.
What does a typical day look like for you these days? Whether you're working behind the scenes of the festival or taking a moment for yourself?
With Bath Fashion Festival just 4 weeks away now I am spending most of my days in meetings with brands and industry experts - filling any final gaps in our packed schedule, working with our socials team on our announcements, doing interviews, arranging VIP gift bags, runway music, workshops, etc, as we are such a tiny team I am literally over almost every aspect of everything you see at the festival. If I get a moment to myself, I am hanging out with my kids, taking them swimming or ferrying them around to friends parties
What first sparked the idea to found Bath Fashion Festival? And looking ahead, what’s your vision for how it might evolve?
I have been working in Fashion since I first started modelling aged 16, over the years I have also done a lot of presenting, panel hosting, consulting, and have produced a series of Charitable fashion events including runway shows and exhibitions. I always had feedback from friends and family outside the industry and how much they would like an opportunity to go and watch a fashion show live, or hear from one of their fashion icons up close, I think in this digital age it’s actually more appealing to go and see something first hand, and really get up close to what is a thriving creative industry full of inspiring and hard-working people.
Since launching the festival, what’s been the most rewarding or surprising part of the journey for you?
The feedback from attendees and participating brands at our inaugural BFF last year was totally overwhelming, it felt like the right offering at the right time and it was lovely to hear how many people enjoyed themselves over the weekend. It’s such a joy being able to collaborate with designers, brands, and people I have loved working with as a model or presenter in a totally different way, and we have several brands returning for a second year which is a huge compliment to me and the team.
Who would be your dream guest to welcome to Bath Fashion Festival in the future?
This is so tricky as I have such a long list of dream guests! Short-listing five which in itself is hard enough, I would love to have Katie Grand, Jean-Paul Gaultier, Roksanda Ilincic, Naomi Campbell, Zac Posen as guests and collaborators in the future, I think they would all have such fantastic stories as well as advice for those starting out. But honestly the real list goes into the hundreds…
What is your favourite go-to piece of clothing for the Spring season?
This Spring the weather has been all over the place, I have found myself wearing light knit tank tops or a shirt with a pair of jeans and a light jacket to go out in, or WFH. Even if it’s sunny outside it can be chilly at my desk.
What’s currently lighting you up creatively?
My husband and I are currently obsessing over the Yellowstone series, wondering how appropriate it would be to wear triple denim and cowboy hats every day! I binge watched Adolescence this weekend, a must watch for all parents, and a gripping story-line either way. Late to the party but I absolutely can’t wait to watch Pamela Anderson in ‘The Last Showgirl’ too.
We live deep in the Devon hills, everything really starts blooming and coming to life in April, our favourite thing to do at the moment is to head to the beach for some ice-cold dips followed by a bag of chips. But the next chance I get I want to go to The Wallace Collection to see Grayson Perry’s “Delusions of Grandeur” exhibition.
If you could share one piece of advice with your younger self, just starting out in the fashion world, what would it be?
I think the best piece of advice I could give to myself or to anyone starting out in the industry is to enjoy yourself, work hard but don’t take it too seriously, and take as many opportunities that come your way as you can. I travelled a lot through modelling and lived in NYC for seven years, but I still wish that I had travelled more, and lived in a few more countries when I could have before having children.
What are you planning to wear during the festival weekend this year?
Albaray of course! I have my eye on a leopard-print dress (leopard is a very big theme in my house) plus I’m really loving suede again at the moment, now my girls are getting a bit older it’s suddenly less risky to wear beautiful clothes at home again!
We're thrilled to be partnering with the Bath Fashion Festival 2025. Catch Albaray on the catwalk and shop our latest styles at the festival's pop-up shop.
Bath Fashion Festival is a two-day event running June 7th and 8th. Grab your tickets here.
