Catwalk sponsorship
Lou Dalton
Sibling
Presentation sponsorship
Christopher Raeburn
Martine Rose
Matthew Miller
Installation sponsorship
Bunney
The British Fashion Council and TOPMAN hosted a reception on Monday 21st May to celebrate the recipients of S/S13 NEWGEN MEN awards. This season, six of London’s cutting-edge menswear designers will receive mentoring and support to showcase their latest collections at the inaugural London Collections: Men 15th -17th June 2012.
Caroline Rush CEO of the British Fashion Council, commented
“We're delighted to be supporting six of London's emerging menswear talents this season, with special thanks going to TOPMAN for their continued and on-going support of the NEWGEN MEN initiative. This announcement kick-starts the countdown to the launch of our dedicated menswear showcase, London Collections: Men, and is the perfect opportunity to celebrate Britain as a leading force in menswear and capital of emerging talent."
Gordon Richardson, Design Director, TOPMAN, who sat on the judging panel, said
“I can’t think of better designers to represent the first ever London Collections: Men. Between them they represent all that's diverse and wonderful about British fashion right now.”
“It was so thoughtful of the Olympic Games and the Queen to time their big events to draw attention to London Collections: Men that I felt momentarily trepidatious: how could fashion possibly compete with a gold medal and a diamond jubilee crown? But if the NEWGEN MEN recipients are any indication, things are going to be just fine. I feel like I already know the work of these designers so well that they can’t possibly be “new”, but that’s the interesting trick that London plays. “New” talent arrives with vision so intact, you feel like you’re seeing the work of fully-evolved fashion entities. Congratulations to everyone involved.” - Tim Blanks, Contributing Editor, Style.com and a member of the British Fashion Council Fashion 2012 Menswear Committee
Lou Dalton’s signature aesthetic of contemporary classicism and refined tailoring has established her as a starlet of British menswear and won her catwalk sponsorship for the first time this season. For SS13, Lou Dalton will be showing a collection based around themes of obsession and collecting at the Hospital Club, the official venue for London Collections: Men.
Cozette McCreery, Sid Bryan and Joe Bates, the creative and technically talented trio behind SIBLING, have between them worked for Alexander McQueen, Giles Deacon, Lanvin, Jonathan Saunders and Bella Freud. Sibling’s progressive knitwear has become famous for leopard motifs, Breton stripes and that-particular-shade-of-SIBLING-pink, which have gone beyond aesthetics and become integral to the label’s DNA.
Christopher Raeburn, known for his meticulously crafted and staunchly British garments, will show his SS13 collection in an innovative presentation. Raeburn’s collections are known for their intelligent design, high quality and extreme attention to detail.
Martine Rose and Matthew Miller, both of whom were fast-tracked to NEWGEN MEN sponsorship last season after one season of MAN support, will once again receive support to show a presentation on schedule.
Andrew Bunney’s eponymous jewellery line is known for its beguilingly beautiful products. Bunney will be presenting his collection, featuring his signature style of everyday objects recast in a new light with precious metals, in the accessories collective on the first floor of the Hospital Club.
NEWGEN MEN began in September 2009, building on TOPMAN and Fashion East Menswear’s successful MAN initiative and is now in its sixth season. It has since become instrumental in raising the profile of emerging British designers and will now use London Collections: Men as a dedicated showcasing platform. As well as sponsorship, the initiative offers its recipients tailored business and mentoring support, with a view to increasing the success of their business commercially and building relationships with key press and buyers.
NEWGEN MEN continues to promote the best of British menswear talent for the sixth consecutive season, with on-going support from TOPMAN.
This season the judging panel included Adam Kelly, Selfridges; Alex Bilmes, Esquire; Charlie Porter, Fantastic Man; Ciara Flood, Mr Porter; Gordon Richardson, TOPMAN; Jason Griffiths, TOPMAN; Jeremy Langmead, Mr Porter; Jo-Ann Furniss; Lulu Kennedy, Fashion East; Robert Johnston, GQ; Stephen Ayres, Liberty; Tim Blanks, Style.com and Terry Betts, Mr Porter.
For designers wishing to apply for NEWGEN MEN or to be part of London Collections: Men, please contact:
Laura Hinson, Show Executive, British Fashion Council
+44 (0) 20 7759 1969
laura.hinson@britishfashioncouncil.com
For TOPMAN enquiries, please contact:
Kelly Reed, TOPMAN Press Office +44 (0) 20 7291 2721
kelly.reed@topman.com
For British Fashion Council enquiries, please contact:
Will Rowley, British Fashion Council, +44 (0) 20 7759 1968
will.rowley@britishfashioncouncil.com
Image: Backstage at Matthew Miller autumn/winter 2012