Charlotte Tilbury and Sam McKnight are among the major industry figures who have launched a new foundation to challenge the exploitation of emerging artistic talent.
The Hugh Devlin Foundation will launch this month offering free legal and financial advice to young creatives, with its top founding partners from the world of fashion, beauty, art and design.
“There are many cases of young creatives having their designs ‘stolen’ by big businesses, and they do not have the funds or experience to challenge,” read a statement from the foundation.
“The foundation will offer selected individuals a vital channel to free legal and financial advice.
“Too often designers and artists are under-resourced, unsupported and overwhelmed in the face of exploitation in the form of unfair contracts, unpaid speculative work, sub-minimum wage fees and intellectual property (IP) theft.”
The Hugh Devlin Foundation’s founding partners include beauty brand founder Charlotte Tilbury, hairdresser Sam McKnight, barber Edward Barber, and fashion designers Anya Hindmarch, and Christopher and Tammy Kane.
All were supported and advised by the late Hugh Devlin, a lawyer and mentor to countless creatives from whom the foundation takes its name.
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The foundation will offer support at “moments of difficulty or crisis” to UK-based individuals and businesses that otherwise could not afford, or would not know, how to access professional advice.
It is working with a growing network of professionals, including lawyers from Withers, where Devlin was a partner and then consultant, as well as Sheridans, Mishcon de Reya and Wedlake Bell, plus accountants from WTBM and Hilton Consulting.
All are offering professional expertise on a pro bono basis, with the foundation matching applicants to such advisers.
Applications for assistance will be available via the foundation’s website when it launches later this month.
Successful applicants will then be matched with a lawyer or accountant best suited to their needs, who will advise them on a specific issue, without charge, for an agreed period.
Who was Hugh Devlin, and how did he support creatives?
Devlin was a champion of the creative community and also protected creativity.
He worked on a commercial basis with the largest companies, but also gave his time freely, and for free, at critical moments to individuals and businesses that could not afford professional advice.
“Hugh’s brilliant business and negotiating skills were matched by his ability to bridge the gap between creativity and commerciality, and his capacity to communicate complicated legal points and concepts to his clients,” read a statement by the foundation.
Devlin sadly passed away in 2023.
“Hugh was the person you could go to, who would protect and fight for creatives,” said Hindmarch.
“He lived to support those who typically undervalued their contribution to creative businesses, and often were not equipped to stand up against the larger organisations when needed.
“He was laser and razor sharp.
“He gave so much of his time pro bono and was always on the end of a phone if a young designer called SOS.
“The creative industries are less protected without his presence.
“I know that he would be rooting for the work this foundation will do in his memory.”
