Nine of London’s brightest emerging talents who will receive sponsorship to showcase their SS16 collections at London Fashion Week (18 – 22 September 2015) from NEWGEN sponsored by TOPSHOP.
Catwalk sponsorship: 1205, Ashley Williams, Ryan Lo
Presentation sponsorship: Claire Barrow, Danielle Romeril, Faustine Steinmetz, Molly Goddard
Exhibition sponsorship: Marta Jakubowski, Sadie Williams
Each of the NEWGEN designers will again be given a dedicated pop-up showroom for four hours after their show or presentation giving buyers the opportunity to make sales appointments with the designers.
NEWGEN is the BFC’s landmark scheme to support the very best emerging talents; its ambition to build global, high end fashion brands for the future. The scheme offers designers financial support and showcasing opportunities at London Fashion Week to present their SS16 collection to influential press and buyers from around the world.
NEWGEN designers are identified by their creativity, strong design aesthetic and point of difference. The NEWGEN committee, chaired by Sarah Mower MBE, focused on selecting designers who are ready for the profile, platform and support that NEWGEN offers. The BFC, with support from the NEWGEN committee and TOPSHOP, will deliver individualised support and business seminars to assist the designers as they build their own infrastructure and skills.
Sarah Mower MBE, BFC Ambassador for Emerging Talent, Contributing Editor to Vogue US and Chair of the NEWGEN selection commented: “The NEWGEN initiative has an unrivalled reputation as the scheme which has seen countless designers through to London Fashion Week and success in selling globally. The panel and I are always stunned to be able to meet designers and discover what they have to say at an early stage, and, with our teamwork, and Topshop’s sponsorship, to help fast-track their business savvy as well as their talent for design. Everyone who wants a window on the future shouldn’t be missing what our NEWGEN cohort has to say this season – they are as individualistic as London designers are, but also characterised by their collective pure enjoyment of clothes, innovation, artistry and a playful sense of fun. My only criticism is the dearth of accessory designers applying to NEWGEN. We want to see more! So please take this is a call-out for next season’s talent!”
Since its inception in 1993, NEWGEN sponsorship has acted as a promotional launch pad for young designers, attracting media profile, orders and investment whilst offering encouragement and support for new talent. Previous NEWGEN winners include Alexander McQueen, Christopher Kane, Erdem, Jonathan Saunders, J.W. Anderson, Marques’Almeida, Mary Katrantzou, Nicholas Kirkwood, Roksanda Ilincic and Simone Rocha.
Mary Homer, Managing Director of TOPSHOP, commented: “We are proud that TOPSHOP continues to play an integral part in nurturing the very best of our young design talent. NEWGEN has been instrumental in introducing home-grown designers to a global stage and the support it offers to fledgling designers, both commercially and creatively, is invaluable to their future success in the industry.”
The NEWGEN committee comprises Sarah Mower MBE, BFC Ambassador of Emerging Talent (Chair); Alexander Fury, The Independent, The Independent on Sunday and i, Fashion Editor; Anna Orsini, British Fashion Council, Strategic Consultant; April Glassborow, Fashion Buying Consultant; Barbara Grispini, LONDON show ROOMS and Brand Development Consultant, Curator; Caroline Rush CBE, British Fashion Council, CEO; Francesca Burns, Fashion Stylist and Consultant; Geoffrey Finch, TOPSHOP, Creative Design Consultant; Karen Langley, Fashion Stylist; Laura Burlington, Fashion Consultant; Laura Hinson, British Fashion Council, Senior Showcasing Manager; Laura Larbalestier, Browns, Buying Director; Madelaine Evans, TOPSHOP, Buying Director; Melanie Rickey, Grazia and Pop Contributing Editor; Michelle de Conto, British Fashion Council, Business Support Advisor; Rebecca Lowthorpe, ELLE Collections, Editor/ ELLE, Assistant Editor; Sheena Sauvaire, Chief Marketing Officer, TOPSHOP; Stavros Karelis, Machine A, Founder; Yeda Yun, Stella McCartney, Merchandising Director.
