In loving memory of our beloved Ms Basia Szkutnicka

It is with profound sadness that we share with you the news that our beloved colleague, Ms Basia Szkutnicka, passed away on 13 March 2021.

Basia joined ITC as Professor of Practice in Fashion Design in January 2017, and made tremendous contributions to ITC. In particular, she was a wonderful asset to the MA programme in Fashion and Textile Design as the programme leader.

A memorial service will be held at 8pm (GMT +8) on 31 March 2021 at the Bistro 1979, Room TH B219, B2/F., Hotel ICON, Hong Kong.  Memorial or floral contribution may be sent after 6.30 pm. People who wish to attend the service in person may register by email at chanel.fok@polyu.edu.hk or phone (+852) 2766 6492, due to number of attendance set by the venue.  Alternatively, they may choose to join the service over zoom with following information:

Meeting ID: 219 813 5056

Passcode: 27666500

Susie Menkes once described Basia as 'A breath of fresh air' in the International Herald Tribune. Basia specialised in design thinking, idea generation, creative design processes, curriculum development and innovation. She also supported and nurtured young talents.

She was a visionary thinker and influencer, well respected in the global fashion community for her ability to move fashion forward by inspiring and motivating students and designers worldwide. Her reputation as an innovator resulted in invitations to jury fashion shows and competitions across the globe.

After completing an Art Foundation course at the Camberwell School of Art in London, and upon graduating from the St Martins School of Art in London with First class Honours in Fashion Design in the competitive 80s, Basia proceeded to launch her own brand at London Fashion Week. She worked with her mentor Isabella Blow on avant-garde projects and fashion stylists and editors including Karl Lagerfeld, Michael Roberts, Judy Blame, and Zanna on photographic projects.  Her work was featured in Tatler (British magazine), American Vogue, The Face, The Independent, The Telegraph, The Standard, BLITZ magazine, Nova, i-D, The Daily Mail, YOU Magazine, International Textiles, and MODA.

Over the last 25 years, she worked in the roles of programme director, design educator, author, writer, freelance designer and creative consultant.

Prior to joining ITC, Basia was Director of the Study Abroad Programme at the London College of Fashion (UAL) where for over 15 years, she created and developed a unique educational model - a beacon of excellence.  Henceforth, her alumni and Fashion faculty network increased in globalisation and prestige.

Basia was a collector of European and American vintage clothing, shoes and accessories. Her latest book, Vintage Fashion - A Fashion Sourcebook, published in 2016 and co-written with Jeffrey Mayer, is published in both English and Mandarin Chinese.

Her first highly successful book, Technical Drawing for Fashion, (now into its second edition), is translated into 8 languages and has been adopted as a text book in fashion programmes worldwide. Both books are published by Laurence King Publishing and available on Amazon as well as reputable international bookstores, museums and galleries.

Basia contributed to fashion magazines and publications, and wrote opinions on fashion culture and style. She was featured and quoted in a number of fashion books and magazines as well as interviewed for video and fashion reportage. She participated in radio and TV interviews, and acted as a commentator on fashion opinion and style.

She worked for Camper footwear (Spain) for over 20 years, initially as their Cool Hunter – a concept generator and retail trend reporter who sourced innovative materials. She then collaborated with the brand on constructing and planning unique think tank design and creativity workshops which were held internationally, and most recently in Seoul, South Korea.

Excellence was her aim and under her leadership, the MA programme in Fashion & Textiles produced creative, forward thinking design innovators who were encouraged to evolve their personal design identity, disrupt, and bring forth new proposals to the fashion landscape.

Basia applied a futuristic and sustainable approach to learning, referencing the past, living in the present, whilst looking to the future.

Her daily practice and interaction with creatives, contemporary thinkers, young designers and ambitious students were her research.

You are welcome to join us to pay our respects to Basia at the date and time listed above, share the brief of the deceased family and offer them with our comfort and support. 

Basia will always be fondly remembered by everyone at ITC.