Non-profit programme Fashion East is delighted to announce it will for the first time be supporting four names at its forthcoming LFW show. Returning designers Caitlin Price and Richard Malone are joined by newcomers AV Robertson and Mimi Wade for an event featuring both runway and presentation, in Topshop’s showspace on Saturday 20th February.
Lulu Kennedy MBE, Director of Fashion East says “the new applicants were especially strong this season, with Amie Robertson even being recommended to us by Katie Grand and Katie Hillier. The selection process was getting impossible, until panel member Mandi Lennard suggested we award four designers instead of our usual three. I am more excited than ever to reveal the talent we have chosen – it’s the most brilliant lineup yet!”
Mandi Lennard, Founder of Mandi’s Basement says “Fashion East is throwing some of the freshest new names out there in February, and yet again shaking up their format - fashion’s new blood is about to be released from the starting blocks."
The four designers selected by Fashion East’s distinguished panel of editors, buyers and stylists, join the ranks of alumni including Gareth Pugh, Jonathan Saunders, House of Holland, Roksanda Ilincic, Simone Rocha and Marques’Almeida. In addition to the London Fashion Week showcasing event, designers receive financial sponsorship, intensive one-to-one business mentoring, and inclusion in a leading Paris sales showroom.
Now in its 15th year, Fashion East is honoured to have headline sponsorship from Topshop for the 12th consecutive year. Topshop is the single biggest supporter of young talent in the industry.
About Designers
Caitlin Price
Caitlin Price is from South London. In 2013 she completed a Masters at Central St Martins and was awarded the Armani Scholarship under the late Professor Louise Wilson OBE. Caitlin debuted with a presentation at Fashion East in February 2015 at the ICA, followed by her second presentation with the scheme for SS16 in a Soho art gallery. The SS16 collection blended 19th century elements with contemporary casualwear inspired by the drum and bass raves of Caitlin’s teen years. The SS16 collection will be available soon from stores including Selfridges (London), Machine-A (London), Nordstrom (USA), Clash (Tokyo) and more. AW16 will be her third collection shown with Fashion East and her catwalk debut.
Richard Malone
Richard Malone is an Irish designer living and working in London. He graduated from the Central Saint Martins BA in 2014 where he was awarded the prestigious LVMH Grand Prix scholarship. His 12 look graduate collection opened the press show and was awarded the Deutsche Bank Award for fashion, previously won by Christopher Kane. Malone debuted with Fashion East at London Fashion Week September 2015, taking over Soho member’s club L’Escargot with artist Evelyn O’Connor for his installation. His Spring Summer 2016 collection will be available soon from Machine-A (London), H Lorenzo (Los Angeles), L’Esclaireur (Paris) and more soon.
A V Robertson
Amie Robertson is a young designer from Manchester. She launched her brand in 2015 soon after completing the Central Saint Martins BA in 2014 with her unique graduate collection combining oversized dresses and accessories with delicate hand made embellishments. Since graduating Robertson has worked in the design team at Marc Jacobs in New York and Paris, developing embroideries and prints for the brand. In Autumn 2015 she launched a collaborative capsule with global retailer ASOS Black. AW16 will be Amie’s London Fashion Week debut with Fashion East.
Mimi Wade
Mimi Wade is a young British American designer and recent Fashion Print graduate from Central Saint Martins. Wade’s graduate collection of intricately hand painted leather party dresses were a celebration of cult 50s Hollywood Horror heroines, “one of the few genres where female actors were able to ‘act out’”. Ode to/homages to Creatures From the Black Lagoon, The Thing, and Frankenstein each came worn with pastel lace bias cut slips peeking out. Autumn Winter 2016 will be Mimi’s London Fashion Week debut with Fashion East.