Sian Gabbidon Explained

Sian Gabbidon
Birth Name:Sian Marie Gabbidon
Birth Date:28 October 1992[1]
Birth Place:Leeds, England
Alma Mater:University of Huddersfield
Known For:Winner of The Apprentice

Sian Marie Gabbidon (born 28 October 1992) is a British businesswoman, fashion designer and media personality. In 2018, Gabbidon won Series 14 of The Apprentice.

Early life and education

Sian Gabbidon was born in Leeds on 28 October 1992. She attended Corpus Christi Catholic College and sixth form at the Garforth Academy.[2] She had a passion for football prior to starting high-school, and she played the sport extensively before "switching to fashion" as a teenager.[3] From 2011 to 2014, she attended the University of Huddersfield and graduated with First Class Honours in Fashion Marketing with Design and Production.[4] While studying at university, Gabbidon began designing and producing her own swimwear and selling it online.

The Apprentice

See main article: The Apprentice (British series 14). In 2018, Gabbidon won the 14th series of British reality TV show The Apprentice, defeating nut milk brand owner Camila Ainsworth. After winning the show, she entered into an equal business partnership with Lord Sugar, who had invested £250,000 into the winners' business. On her win, Gabbidon said: “I can’t believe it’s happened. Not that I didn’t think I could win it but it’s just real. It’s crazy. I’m absolutely over the moon.”[5]

Career

In 2016, Gabbidon launched her own swimwear and fashion brand "Sian Marie" which became an equal partnership with Alan Sugar after winning The Apprentice. Initially selling through its website, the brand expanded to sell through ASOS.[6]

Gabbidon said that her business role model is Coco Chanel who she identifies with as Chanel "came from nothing and worked her way to the top".[7]

Notes and References

  1. Sian Gabbidon . siangabbidon . 28 October 2020 . 1321428855501062144 . Arrived at work to a little surprise today Birthday cake...28 - let’s do this #birthdaygirl.
  2. Web site: Apprentice winner Sian Gabbidon on her new Sian Marie loungewear range for Asda and how Lord Sugar's support has helped her through the pandemic . The Yorkshire Post . 14 August 2024 . 19 November 2021.
  3. Web site: Pingitore . Silvia . 2016-01-04 . The BBC Apprentice winners: interview with Sian Gabbidon . 2021-07-23 . the-shortlisted.co.uk . en-GB.
  4. Web site: University of Huddersfield . October 2019 . Apprentice winner Sian Gabbidon regularly chats to Lord Sugar . hud.ac.uk . 19 February 2021.
  5. Web site: Greenfield . Patrick . 16 December 2018 . Swimwear designer Sian Gabbidon is this year's Apprentice . The Guardian . 19 February 2021.
  6. Web site: Rutter . Harry . 8 May 2019 . The Apprentice winner Sian Gabbidon bags deal with ASOS to stock her ‘Sian Marie’ swim wear range which led her to victory on TV . Entertainment Gazette . 19 February 2021.
  7. Web site: 18 December 2019. Who won The Apprentice 2018? Everything you need to know about Sian Gabbidon . RadioTimes . 19 February 2021.