Falmouth graduate named in Drapers 30 Under 30
03 February 2026
BA(Hons) Creative Events Management graduate Laonni Easterbrook has been named in the 2026 edition of Drapers 30 Under 30, a roundup of the most exciting young professionals working in the fashion retail industry.
Now in its 17th year, Drapers 30 Under 30 surveys the UK and Ireland to find the disruptors, new thinkers, creators and innovators who are reshaping the industry’s future.
Laonni graduated from Falmouth in 2019 and has forged a successful career in digital marketing – an area she discovered a talent for during her degree’s promotional communications module. She joined conscious childrenswear brand Frugi in 2020 and has since risen through the ranks to become Marketing Manager.
“I love working for such a fun, bold and caring brand, and I feel very lucky to have grown my marketing career here”, she tells us. “The best part of my role is that no two days are the same – I get to have fun bringing our colourful, playful product range to life, while also promoting a brand that’s committed to planet-conscious practices.”
Nominated for inclusion in Drapers 30 Under 30 by Frugi’s Product & Brand Director Jeni Bolton, Laonni found out that she had been chosen at the end of 2025. “I’m still pinching myself that little old me has been chosen for such a prestigious recognition!” she says. “I feel so honoured and truly grateful to have been put forward and chosen alongside an incredible group of people all doing great things in the industry.”
Laonni will not only enjoy the recognition of being amongst the most standout young professionals in fashion retail – she’ll also have opportunities to connect with professionals in the industry, learn from their journeys, and gain insights that she can bring back to her own work. “It’s also such a great platform to share the work we’re doing at Frugi, and to hopefully inspire others who are navigating their own creative and professional paths”, she tells us.
University wasn't always on the cards for Cornwall-born Laonni; she knew she wanted to do something creative after college and always liked the idea of working in the wedding industry. “When I realised I could study events - and do it in Cornwall - it felt like a bit of a lightbulb moment”, she says.
“Having always lived here, the thought of leaving Cornwall never really sat right with me, so finding this course felt like the right path. I also loved that it was creative and industry-focused, which suited the way I learn best and helped me start understanding the practical aspects of events management.”
Laonni’s time at Falmouth had a big impact on her, thanks to the hands-on nature of the Creative Events Management degree. “Our projects involved a lot of organisation, planning and working with external contacts, so we weren’t just learning theory – we were putting things into practice in real-world situations”, she explains. “It really helped me grow in confidence professionally and made the transition into the working world feel much less daunting.”
Her time at Falmouth was also one of Laonni’s happiest, as she recalls: “I didn’t take for granted being able to tell my friends at city universities that I could finish a day of lectures and nip down to the beach for a BBQ and a swim! That balance of creativity, community, and the outdoors was pretty hard to beat.”
Flying high from featuring in Drapers, Laonni’s future is extremely bright. “I’m excited to see what’s next on my journey. I am incredibly grateful for my role at Frugi, which still gives me so many opportunities to learn and grow”, she says. “Looking ahead, I hope to continue developing my skills, taking on new challenges, and finding creative ways to make an impact – both for the brand and the wider industry.
“And looking back, I don’t think I’d be where I am today without my time at Falmouth. I’ll always feel so grateful for the experience, and I hope my journey can show current students that a creative career is full of possibilities.”
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