The British Fashion Council (BFC) today announced the names of 17 of London’s brightest emerging fashion design talents who have been selected to receive BFC NEWGEN sponsorship, supported by Topshop, to show at London Fashion Week in February 2011. NEWGEN, established in 1993, is one of the world’s most internationally recognised talent identification schemes. Its alumni include Alexander McQueen, Matthew Williamson, Boudicca, Giles Deacon, Jonathan Saunders, Christopher Kane, Marios Schwab, Richard Nicoll, Erdem and Meadham Kirchhoff.
NEWGEN recipients for autumn/winter 2011 sponsored by Topshop are:
Catwalk:
David Koma
Holly Fulton
Louise Gray
Mary Katrantzou
Michael van der Ham
Presentation:
Christopher Raeburn
Craig Lawrence
J. JS Lee
Nasir Mazhar
Film Installation:
J.W. Anderson
Installation:
Dominic Jones
Jordan Askill
Exhibition
Christopher Raeburn
Craig Lawrence
David Koma
Dominic Jones
Fannie Schiavoni
Felicity Brown
Heikki Salonen
Holly Fulton
J. JS Lee
Jordan Askill
JW Anderson
Louise Gray
Mary Katrantzou
Michael van der Ham
Nasir Mazhar
Thomas Tait
Yang Du
NEWGEN is an internationally recognised showcase for the best emerging British fashion talent and is central to the British Fashion Council’s talent identification, designer development and showcasing programme. The scheme has become a key draw for the international fashion media and buyers attending London Fashion Week.
Caroline Rush, Chief Executive of the British Fashion Council commented,
“NEWGEN has been propelling young British design talent on an international stage for many years, and we thank Topshop for their ongoing support. The strength of the brands that the previous winners have gone on to establish is testament to the talent here in London and demonstrates the strength of talent identified by NEWGEN season on season. This season’s recipients are directional, innovative and show incredible promise and we are excited for them to demonstrate the best of London’s emerging design talent to a global audience.”
Sarah Mower, the BFC’s Ambassador for Emerging Talent, said,
“It is inspiring to see the vibrant sense of community as well as creativity amongst our NEWGEN designers. With every season, we’re seeing them grow as business-people who are selling to the top luxury goods retailers of the world – and since so many of them are now manufacturing their collections in the UK, they are making a really exciting contribution to employment and export."
Mary Homer, Managing Director of Topshop adds,
"Fashion is at the heart of our business and our support of the NEWGEN Award, even after nine years is still as exciting and inspiring today as it was back in 2001. Each and every season the NEWGEN Award rejuvenates itself by nurturing previous recipients and identifying ever more creative individuals. Never more so than this year when some of the schemes most successful and established names such as Louise Gray, David Koma and Mary Katrantzou are recognised alongside the provocative talents of milliner, Nasir Mazhar and ready-to-wear newcomers, Thomas Tait and Felicity Brown. British based design talent is the envy of the world over and Topshop is so proud to be involved with this most important of bursaries.”
NEWGEN sponsored catwalk designers receive financial support towards their show costs and usage of the BFC Catwalk Show Space, whilst others receive sponsored presentation or exhibition space to showcase their collections, offering an important introduction for young UK-based designers to influential press and buyers from around the world. NEWGEN has extended its help to young designers beyond its traditional showcasing support to provide business and mentoring support, and access to sales and marketing support and business advice in partnership with Shoosmiths, Baker Tilley and Lloyds TSB.
Designers receiving NEWGEN sponsorship for the first time this season include milliner Nasir Mazhar, who has designed collections for Gareth Pugh, Richard Nicoll and The Royal Opera House, as well as creating commissions for Lady Gaga and Madonna. Directional designer Thomas Tait’s minimalist, couture-quality approach to tailoring has also won him NEWGEN sponsorship for the first time; he will showcase his Autumn/Winter 2011 ready-to-wear collection at the London Fashion Week exhibition in February. Christopher Raeburn, Craig Lawrence, JS Lee and JW Anderson, will all be sponsored to show on the presentation schedule.
Topshop continues its support of the NEWGEN scheme for the 19th consecutive season, supporting London’s diverse young fashion designers to showcase to an international audience. Topshop offers additional support to designers by providing show venues and commissioning special collections available during and beyond London Fashion Week. Topshop’s dedication to the support and growth of emerging talent remains unsurpassed.
London Fashion Week will run from Friday 18th February – Wednesday 23rd February 2011 and will be located at Somerset House, Strand WC2.
For more information on the NEWGEN designers visit:
www.britishfashioncouncil.com/newgen