London Fashion Week: NEWGEN

Not long till fashion week hits London!  Running from 13^th-17^th September, London fashion week is a major date for the diary (show schedule to be announced in July).

Among the many must see collections NEWGEN designers will be showing work again this year.  NEWGEN (standing for new generation) was created back in 1993 by the British Fashion Council and has become one of the worlds most internationally recognized talent identification scheme.  This scheme, sponsored by Topshop since 2001, allows some of the best up and coming British designers to show their work.

Each years lucky winners can either receive financial support towards show costs, the opportunity to use the British Fashion Councils catwalk space, a sponsored presentation or exhibition space, depending on which area they win.

I think this is a great scheme to help UK based designers get their work recognized around the world and open up opportunities with those in industry.

Here’s the British Fashion Council’s SS14 choice of winners:

Catwalk Sponsership:

1.     J. JE LEE

Born in Seoul, Korea, Lee studied womenswear at Central Saint Martins and has spent the last five years working as a senior pattern cutter.  On the British Fashion Council website is describes her working style as ‘chic, minimalist and modernist tailoring’ with her trademark piece being ‘embossed details on solid fabric’.  It’s said her ideal client is ‘a modern woman who is concerned with looking sharp in a uniquely feminine way.’

2.  

LUCAS NASCISMENTO

Born in Bonito, Brazil, Luke graduated from London College of Fashion in 2008.  The British Fashion Council has described his signature look as ‘silhouttes that are not typical of knitwear, using knit unexpectedly through careful yarn consideration and solid research’.  His ideal client ‘appreciates the detail in a garment and buys a piece for life; not for a moment in trend or time.’

3.     MARGUES’ ALMEIDA

This duo (Marta and Paulo) met at CITEX Fashion School in Portugal.  They then gained work experience at Vivienne Westwood followed by working at Central Saint Martins for an MA where they began working as a duo.  It’s said their clothes are ‘raw, young, effortless and lived-in’ with their trademark piece being ‘oversize, distressed denim T-shirt with heavily frayed edges.’  Their ideal customer would be a ‘quietly defiant women’.

4.     SIMONE ROCHA

Simone graduated from a BA in fashion from the The National College of Art and Design in Dublin in 2008, then from her MA at Central Saint Martins in 2010.  Her work is described as ‘Modern and strong yet romantic’ with her ideal client being ‘a woman who wants to wear beautiful things’.  Her trademark piece is ‘the floating perspex brogue.’

5.     SISTER BY SIBLING

This is a collaboration between Joe Bates, Sid Bryan and Cozette McCreery with ‘sibling’ meaning for one and one for all.  Before setting up Sibling the designers each worked with a variety of brands and design houses.  In their designs ‘you can expect colour, humour, sparkle and that everything will be knitted.’  Their ideal client is ‘a girl with a good sense of humour and a fun, happy attitude’ with their signature pieces being ‘classic, traditional knitwear desisns’.

6.     1205 

Designer Paula Gerbase studied womenswear at Central Saint Martins with experience from both Hardy Amies and her five years as head designer for Savile Row tailor, Kilgour.  They work with ‘restrained modern tailoring’ for ‘someone of substance’ and their trademark pieces are ‘considered, thoughtful pieces with a focus on fabric and cut.’

7.     NASIR MAZHAR

Nasir is a milliner who has trained with Jane Smith and worked for theatrical designer Mark Wheeler.  His signatures are ‘the box peak cap.’

8.     SOPHIA WEBSTER

Sophia, a shoe designer, graduated from the Royal College of Art in 2010 and has since been working as a design assistant to Nicholas Kirkwood.  Her signatures are ‘single soles, feminine lines and strong silhouettes’ with her trademark design being ‘the Aztec open-toe bootie.’

9.     LIAM FAHY

Whilst studying footwear at DeMontfort University, Liam was awarded the Linea-Pelle footwear design award and the Drapers Footwear Designer award of the year then after graduating he won the first ever Fashion Fringe Accessory Award!  He also worked with Rupert Sanderson before setting up his own brand.  Liam’s trademark piece is ‘”The Charlotte” in satin or java print’ and says he designs ‘anything that makes a woman look and feel sexy.’  His ideal customer is ‘intelligent, confident and sophisticated.’

Personally I think this all sounds very exciting and I cannot wait to see what all these up-and-coming designers bring to our catwalks!