Ron Jnr McDonald

Hi, I’m Ron Jnr McDonald A menswear designer with over 20 years of experience blending tradition with a touch of rebellion. My style lives somewhere between Scandinavian minimalism, British eccentricity, and sustainable innovation — a mix that defines how I approach design. My journey started in the early rave scene, where fashion became my way of expressing identity. I’d spend hours flipping through i-D, The Face, and Sky, clashing vintage pieces with designer gear to create looks that felt raw and real. That love for self-expression quickly turned into something more. I started sketching designs, and my mum — a sample machinist for Paul Smith and Barbour - would bring them to life. Working with her taught me craftsmanship from the inside out. I cut my teeth in a bespoke tailor’s in Glasgow while studying, and later worked at Angels in London’s film industry before moving fully into fashion. Those early experiences taught me the value of detail, storytelling, and culture in every stitch. Over the years, I’ve shaped a design voice influenced by McQueen’s boldness, Westwood’s punk spirit, and Paul Smith’s playful precision. Always creative, always strategic. Along the way, I’ve been lucky enough to see some dreams come true - including having collections shown at London Fashion Week and receiving recognition through design awards. But what’s meant just as much has been the real, everyday work of building ideas from scratch and watching them grow into something people connect with. More recently, I took a deep dive into UX and earned my Design Lead diploma at Hyper Island. That experience added a new layer to how I think, introducing me to service design, user journeys, and the power of asking “why” before “what.” It reshaped my process. Now, it’s not just about how something looks — it’s about how it feels, what it means, and how it fits into people’s lives. That human-centred lens makes my design sharper, more thoughtful, and future-ready. During my studies, I also put my entrepreneurial skills into play with a personal side project: building The Duke from the ground up - a hobby brand that reflects my love for fashion, football, and music. I produced promo videos, crafted storytelling, a nd even composed my tracks to give it a unique, bespoke feel. It’s a playground for my ideas and a reminder of what’s possible when you trust your instincts and follow your creative curiosity. In my last two roles, the work extended far beyond just collections and trends. It was just as much about building the brand from the inside — shaping its identity, voice, and purpose. I’ve used storytelling not just to sell clothes, but to build trust in new ideas and guide emerging brands into spaces where they feel real, relevant, and emotionally resonant. I’m deeply committed to sustainability, conscious leadership, and inclusive design. For me, ethical production and meaningful storytelling are non-negotiables. You can check out my fashion portfolio at www.theduke.se, and my UX work at theduke.se/ux. And if you’re curious to hear more, I’d love to chat over coffee (or Zoom, if that’s your thing). A CV can tell you where I’ve been. But a conversation? That’s where the real story starts. Warm regards, Ron Jnr McDonald