The British Fashion Council (BFC) has today announced that eight of London’s most exciting emerging menswear fashion design talents will receive sponsorship from its designer support initiative NEWGEN MEN sponsored by TOPMAN. All recipients will receive business support and the opportunity to use the official BFC venue to host either a catwalk show, presentation or an installation during London Fashion Week’s (LFW) Menswear Day, on Wednesday 22nd February.
The recipients of NEWGEN MEN, sponsored by TOPMAN, Autumn/Winter 2012 are:
Catwalk sponsorship (shows will take place in the BFC Show Space): Christopher Shannon and J.W. Anderson
Salon Show Presentation sponsorship: Lou Dalton, Martine Rose and Matthew Miller
Installation sponsorship (Installations will take place in the East Wing, Somerset House): Bunney, Christopher Raeburn and SIBLING
NEWGEN MEN began in September 2009, building on TOPMAN and Fashion East’s successful MAN initiative. It has since become instrumental in raising the profile of emerging British designers using the dedicated Menswear Day at London Fashion Week as a 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 fifth consecutive season, with ongoing dedicated support from TOPMAN.
Tim Blanks, Contributing Editor, Style.com and a member of the British Fashion Council's Menswear Committee, said “The breadth of menswear in London has been inspiring, but now it's time to make note of the depth - behind all the already familiar names, there are platoons of newbies. That's more than evolution - it's inescapable maturity. I say, watch out, world!”
Gordon Richardson, Design Director, TOPMAN, who was also on the selection panel, adds “This season we say a fond farewell to the brilliant James Long as he flies the NEWGEN MEN nest to become the first Fashion Forward menswear recipient and we welcome Martine Rose and Matthew Miller - both graduates of MAN - as well as Bunney, a very exciting young jewellery designer into the NEWGEN mix. We see J.W. Anderson and Christopher Shannon showing again on the catwalk - both now having achieved their fifth season with a solo show and both very much established and commercially successful in their own right and I think testament to the importance and success of the MEN’s initiative during London Fashion Week - a necessary platform to showcase our brilliant home-grown menswear design talent.”
Martine Rose receives NEWGEN MEN sponsorship for the first time and will host a salon show presentation for February 2012 after three seasons of MAN support. Martine has had hugely successful collaborations with Wallpaper Magazine, Timberland and CAT boots and was one of the selected designers taking part in Selfridges, 'Bright Young Things' project, which saw designers produce a window display for the store and design exclusive product and one off pieces.
Matthew Miller is also new for the NEWGEN MEN 2012 presentation schedule where he has fast tracked after just one season of MAN support. Millar graduated from the Royal College of Art in 2009, where his final collection was singled out by the industry as one to watch. Matthew's work draws on his interest of the human body, software and their relation to one another in this digital age. His signature aesthetic mixes tailoring and sportswear with unique and intricate textile decoration, resulting in highly wearable and desirable pieces.
Also new to the installation schedule for February 2012, is jewellery designer Bunney. Established in 2009, Bunney is known for its signature style of everyday objects recast in a new light with precious materials to create something starkly new but familiar.
The label J.W. Anderson was launched in 2008 and has achieved critical and commercial success winning NEWGEN MEN sponsorship for his fifth consecutive season. Christopher Shannon has also won sponsorship for a fifth season to showcase his luxury sportswear label and both designers will show their collections in a catwalk show.
The creative and technically talented trio behind SIBLING have between them worked for Alexander McQueen, Giles Deacon, Lanvin, Jonathan Saunders and Bella Freud. Their signature hand-crafted, bold and progressive knitwear will be shown in an installation for a fourth time round at London Fashion Week.
The NEWGEN MEN selection committee is made up of key opinion formers across media and retail. This season the panel include Adam Kelly, Selfridges; Alex Bilmes, Esquire; Anna Orsini, BFC; Ben Reardon, GQ Style; Charlie Porter, Fantastic Man; Gordon Richardson, TOPMAN; Jason Griffiths, TOPMAN; Jo-Ann Furniss; Katie Bain, BFC; Lulu Kennedy, Fashion East & MAN; Patrick Grant, Norton & Sons; Simon Chilvers, The Guardian; Simon Ward, BFC; Stephen Ayres, Liberty; Tim Blanks, Style.com.
London Fashion Week’s womenswear shows will run from Friday 17th – Tuesday 21st February 2012 and menswear collections will be shown on Wednesday 22nd February. London Fashion Week is located at Somerset House, Strand WC2.
For press enquiries regarding NEWGEN MEN at London Fashion Week please contact:
Gemma Ebelis, PR Manager, British Fashion Council +44 (0) 20 7759 1989
gemma.ebelis@britishfashioncouncil.com
For designers wishing to apply for NEWGEN MEN or to be part of Menswear Day 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
Image: Backstage at Matthew Miller SS12 at London Fashion Week, September 2011