The British Fashion Council (BFC) and ELLE magazine today announce this year’s winners of BFC/ELLE Talent Launch Pad. Designers Claudia Catzeflis, Saloni, Sophie Hulme and Vassilisa will all receive professional support to develop their businesses over the coming year.
The BFC/ELLE Talent Launch Pad initiative was established last year with the aim of introducing emerging designers to established and respected retailers and increasing their exposure to UK wide audiences. Independent British retailers Cricket, Hervia Bazaar, Square and Anna have committed to placing orders for at least one of the shortlisted designers for two seasons and to host in-store events to raise the profile of the designers. The winners will also receive a stand in The Exhibition at London Fashion Week to showcase their collection for two seasons.
Caroline Rush, CEO, British Fashion Council, commented “This year’s BFC/ELLE Talent Launch Pad designers are all women with strong individual style which is reflected in their individual collections. All were considered to be strong new businesses that would benefit from the support mentoring and profile of this scheme”
The BFC/ELLE Talent Launch Pad was developed as a legacy initiative of the British Fashion Council’s 25th anniversary to assist new designer businesses to develop a solid British market, have access to retail mentors and through this raise their profile regionally and nationally through editorial and professional marketing material. The designers will also have access to Elle’s stylists and marketing resources.
Jenny Dickinson, Acting Editor, Elle Magazine, commented “The BFC/ELLE Talent Launch Pad aims to provide nascent British designers with the opportunities, acumen and support to thrive in the competitive fashion industry. The UK is a hub of fantastic, creative talent, but turning a flair for design into a profitable business is a gargantuan task. ELLE is delighted to work with the British Fashion Council again this year to provide that support to four exciting new designers. The standard of this year’s entries was incredibly high, but we have found four labels. Meet them in ELLE’s October issue – four fantastic women, who we believe in and know we can take to the next level.”
The selection committee, comprising of industry experts and retailers is chaired by Caroline Rush, and includes Anna Park, ANNA; Anne-Marie Curtis, ELLE UK; Asiya Durrani, Hervia Bazaar; Emma Jones, Temperley; Helena Christensen; Justine Mills, Cricket; Louise Carter, BFC; Lyn Gardner, Square; Oscar Pinto-Hervia, Hervia Bazaar; Rebecca Lowthorpe, ELLE UK; Sara Berman.
All designers are showcasing their collections at London Fashion Week commencing 16th September 2011.
Find out more about the winners...
Find out more about the scheme...
Image: BFC/ELLE Talent Launch Pad winners (left to right) Saloni Lodha, Nadja Solovieva, Claudia Catzeflis and Sophie Hulme. Photographer: Henry Bourne for ELLE Magazine