LONDON — Four Marketing, which has owned A Cold Wall, formerly styled as A-Cold-Wall, since 2024, on Wednesday appointed Joshua A. Bullen as the brand’s first designer in residence, with his first collection debuting in Paris for the fall 2027 season.
Designed as a long-term platform, not a replacement for the brand’s identity or core studio team, the residency will see Bullen interpret the label’s established codes implemented by founder Samuel Ross within a renewed aesthetic framework.
“It is a privilege to be working with A Cold Wall and sharing my experiences with those of the brand. A Cold Wall represents to me: community, culture, lifestyle, but most importantly good design. Bringing together friends and enjoying creativity to take ACW into its next chapter,” Bullen said upon his appointment.
Four Marketing said Bullen is expected to bring senior design experience across several major fashion houses. He spent more than a decade as head of design at Stone Island, before serving as design director of menswear at Givenchy.
A 2011 menswear graduate of Central Saint Martins, he oversaw menswear and womenswear ready-to-wear, shoes, leather goods and kids’ ranges in his most recent role as design and studio director at Kenzo until 2025, before returning to the King’s Cross-based fashion school as a guest tutor.
Ben Banks, chief executive officer of Four Marketing Group, hailed Bullen’s appointment as a natural partnership, citing a professional relationship with Bullen built over many years.
“A meaningful and long-term design and cultural philosophy is built on trust and patience, and that trust already exists between us, so we start from a strong foundation,” Banks said, adding that the fashion industry is facing a difficult moment, but change offers a chance to learn from the past and shape a new vision.
Founded in 1997, Four Marketing has built businesses for brands including Stone Island and C.P. Company, and operates across retail, e-commerce, wholesale distribution and licensing. The group acquired A Cold Wall from fashion wholesaler Tomorrow in 2024.
The brand’s founder, Samuel Ross, is no longer involved with the brand. Ross later launched SR_A and has worked with Zara and Whoop on multiyear partnerships.
