NEWS| Graduate Fashion Week announces International Show

Graduate Fashion Week has announced the launch of a new International Show featuring 16 leading global fashion universities. The event, which will take place at GFW in Earls Court on June 3rd will feature designs from 16 students from the chosen international universities.

As part of this initiative, a International Award accolade will be awarded for the best collection, as judged by Sara Maino, senior editor Vogue Italia and the Royal College of Art’s Professor Wendy Dagworthy. The winner, on top of receiving a cash prize for themselves and their university, will win a place at Fashion Scout's acclaimed Graduate Showcase. 

FS are also teaming up with MUUSE to offer a special  sponsorship award to produce and show a collection in London and Paris fashion weeks.

Tickets for Graduate Fashion Week and the International Show can be purchased here. Visit http://www.gfw.org.uk/ for more information. 

By Cass Gowing, Editor. Follow her on Twitter @CassGowing

NEWS| Fashion Scout designers Shao Yen and Heohwan Simulation in Tank Magazine

This week has seen Tank magazine highlight two Fashion Scout designers in their ‘Power Four’ of emerging international designers article; more specifically, Shao Yen and Heohwan Simulation.

Disclosing that Shao Yen never planned to become a knitwear designer, the article explains how Shao initially directed his talent toward jewellery design; before taking a place on the Central St Martin knitwear programme –  a movement which proved a vehicle for experimentation. The article goes on to discuss Shao’s brand aesthetic of experimental spirit, which is accessible to many people; his most recent collection inspired by Catalan artist Joan Miro and Giuseppe Castiglione’s portraits of the Chinese Emperor Qianlong, mirrors this, combining wearable clothing and eccentricity.

Alongside Shao, RCA graduate and Fashion Scout Merit Award and ‘One’s to Watch’ designer, Heohwan Simulation, is also deemed an emerging designer destined for big things. The article places emphasis on Hwan Heo’s determination, the philosophical and concept based aesthetic of his brand; and his “The decade Project”, a ten year concept he is undertaking inspired by his reading of fashion’s history.

Both Fashion Scout designers are featured alongside British, Danish Duo Trager Delaney and London launched label Ostwald Helgason. 

Text by Brooke McCord @BrookeMcCord

Images from Tank Magazine.

NEWS| UKFT Awards 2013 nominations including Charlotte Taylor, Emma J Shipley and Joseph Turvey

The NatWest UK Fashion & Textile Awards 2013 have announced their nominations and include three Fashion Scout designers: Charlotte Taylor, Emma J Shipley and Joseph Turvey. The shortlisted brands will be showcased in a catwalk show produced with Fashion Scout on May 23rd. 

After receiving a record number of entries this year, they have consolidated the entries to the announce the nominations for the 2013 awards. The judging was chaired by UKFT Deputy Chairman Simon Berwin and whilst the judging panel includes Fashion Scout selection panelist and Fashion Features Editor at Vogue.co.uk,  Jessica Bumpus as well as Caroline Nodder, Editor-in-Chief of Drapers and Maurice Mullen, Head of Fashion & Luxury Goods for Evening Standard.

Charlotte Taylor and Emma J Shipley are competing for the UKFT Rise Newcomer Award whilst Insley & Nash for Joseph Turvey is also up for an accolade. 

The highly anticipated awards ceremony will take place on May 23 at One Mayfair in London where the winners will be announced.

NEWS| Former Merit Award winner Phoebe English in The Independent

Open up today's Independent or i paper today and you'll see Fashion Scout designer and former Merit Award winner Phoebe English looking back at you. 

The feature, which focuses on Phoebe's new window installation which launches at Dover Street Market this Friday, interview Phoebe in her studio in her East London studio. 

"For her window display English, whose studies focused on knitwear and textiles, has created a large orb of blue glass beads that will be suspended from the ceiling by a single wire. “I wanted something that looked as though it was floating or hovering – a lunar orb. The textiles we're using are all glass and we found that during the [spring/summer 13] show you got a really great reflection of the show lights while the girls were in motion. We're hoping that the light will sort of sparkle across the surface.”"

You can read the full piece online here. View Phoebe English's A/W13 collection review here, as showcased at Fashion Scout in February.

Written by Editor Cass Gowing, @CassGowing

NEWS| William Tempest collaborates with W London

Former Fashion Scout designer William Tempest’s  collaboration with W London, Leicester Square is due to be unveiled in June this year.

The W London is renowned for being committed to supporting high-profile British fashion names, events and parties since its opening in 2011 and this collaboration is the next step. William Tempest has had a bold presence in the fashion hemisphere since 2009 - when he was named Fashion Scout's Merit Award winner – and has since received critical acclaim from international press as well as built up a huge celebrity following including Victoria Beckham, Alexa Chung and Rihanna.

Inspired by the hotel’s unique design concept, the innovative collaboration is set to encompass a limited edition pyjama set; which celebrates the duality of British personality.

The clichéd mentality – ‘buttoned up by day and let loose by night’; through the vehicle of a demure grey pattern on one side, contrasted by a statement geometric print on the other, which in essence, allows the wearer to dress according to their mood.

The British-produced pajamas will be available for W hotel guests, whilst a limited number will be available in W The Store from June 1. 

By Brooke McCord, @BrookeMcCord 

NEWS| Sotheby's exhibition with David Longshaw

Hot tipped by ELLE by as a “Rising Star” David Longshaw former Fashion Scout Ones To Watch, represents a new breed of fashion talent lending his skills in illustration and storytelling to his work. Launched in 2010, the designer established his label with a strong place in the industry.

David’s latest venture introduces the story of Maude and Hector who are off to Sotheby’s and to be worn at the “animal ball” which Prince Charles is hosting.

The illustrations and masks show “cult” icon and loveable Maude the fashion mouse made by David whilst at CSM, Editor-in-Chief of Maudezine and creative director Hector who bumps into Elephant friends Erin and Edward on their way to the Animal Ball. Vibrant and fun prints are featured on the elephant masks as Maude and Hector wearing David Longshaw (of course!)get a lift to the ball.

A graduate of Central Saint Martin’s and RCA, David was awarded the BFC/ELLE Talent Launch Pad and has since gone on to be featured on Vogue.com and Fashion156 and using his unique imagination to create a weekly comic strip “Francesca & Arthur” for Vogue Italia.

Vanessa Omoregie, @wewearblack

Illustrations by David Longshaw

NEWS| Last day to apply for Fashion Scout S/S14

Today marks the last day for designers to apply for catwalk, presentation and salon shows with Fashion Scout, the international showcase for fashion innovation for the S/S14 season. 

Ones To Watch alumnus to date include Eudon Choi, Kirsty Ward, Phoebe English, Dean Quinn, Hermione de Paula, David Longshaw, & Anne Sofie Madsen - your name could be added to this prestigious list of past designers!

Womenswear designers can also apply for Fashion Scoutʼs coveted Merit Award (worth £25,000 over three seasons, the Merit Awards includes a fully sponsored catwalk show and a £1000 bursary in the first season which specifically propels the very best in new design talent into the industry) as well as the esteemed Ones to Watch initiative .

Please send applications to show@fsi-events.com. For more information, please visit our website.