The British Council and the British Fashion Council today announced the winners of the International Fashion Showcase, in a prize-giving ceremony at Brewer Street Car Park, London. Sarah Mower MBE presented Colombia with the International Fashion Showcase Country Award for its exhibition Framework; with a special mention for the South African and Romanian exhibitions.
The International Fashion Showcase Designer Award was presented to Julia Manisto for her impressive collection showcased in the Colombian exhibition, with Maxhosa by Laduma (South Africa), Ken Samudio (the Philippines), Miguel Mesa (Colombia), Alexandru Nimurad and Vika Tonu (Romania) and Rok Hwang (Korea) also receiving special mentions.
The International Fashion Showcase Curation Award was presented to Yegwa Ukpo of Nigeria, with special mentions for Tory Turk (Korea) and Roxana Gibescu (Romania). All of the winners received a trophy designed by emerging Brazilian jeweller Fernando Jorge, a BFC Rock Vault graduate who participated in IFS 2014.
Winning country Colombia was selected from nearly thirty participating countries by a panel of industry experts to win the competition. Its presentation, organised by the Colombian Embassy, showcased the emerging talents of Lina Ibáñez Coronado, Miguel Mesa, Julia Männistö, New Cross; and of Liliana Sanguino as Curator.
Vicky Richardson, Director of Architecture, Design, Fashion at the British Council commented: “The International Fashion Showcase provides a valuable platform for young designers from all over the world to share design culture from their own countries and to participate in London Fashion Week. It is inspiring to see such a wealth of talent on display and we’re delighted that 30 countries have taken part. London is a world leader for emerging design talent and we look forward to seeing the future fruits of the partnerships and collaborations formed between designers and countries during this year’s IFS.”
Sarah Mower MBE, BFC Ambassador for Emerging Talent and Contributing Editor to US Vogue said: “The International Fashion Showcase is a unique project and the first to promote the work of emerging young designers from all over the world on such a large scale. It builds on London's reputation for shining the spotlight on young talent and celebrating diverse fashion cultures.”
The International Fashion Showcase (IFS) is the only official exhibition at London Fashion Week that is free and open to the public with 110 emerging designers from nearly 30 countries.
The central exhibition at Brewer Street Car Park is designed by Robert Storey of Storey Studio and covers 25 countries from four continents that will each showcase a curated static installation of emerging designers that represent their culture. Countries include Austria, Brazil, Colombia, Czech Republic, Georgia, Ireland, Nigeria, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Scandinavia (Denmark & Norway), South Africa, Spain, and Tanzania.
Solo installations from Argentina, Canada, Chile, Lithuania, Morocco, the Netherlands, Pakistan, Thailand and Trinidad and Tobago will form ‘Next in Line’, curated by Lee Lapthorne, Founder and Director of On|Off. These will be displayed on a Bonaveri Aloof mannequin, inspired by the fashion imagery of Avedon and Beaton and made in its factory in Italy.
In addition, Japan, Korea, Romania and Switzerland are showcasing in satellite exhibitions across London.
The British Council and the British Fashion Council would like to thank London College of Fashion and Fashion Scout for the mentoring and showcasing opportunities offered to the International Fashion Showcase designers; and Bonaveri for its support in the exhibition.
Event details
20-24 February, 10.00-18.00
3rd Floor Gallery,
Brewer Street Car Park,
32 Brewer Street,
London W1F 0LA
For more information visit: http://design.britishcouncil.org/projects/IFS/IFS2015/
For images, press and media enquiries about the International Fashion Showcase and information about the British Council contact:
Mary Doherty, Arts Press Officer
+44 (0) 207 389 3144 // mary.doherty@britishcouncil.org
For information about the British Fashion Council contact:
Sophie McElligott, PR Manager
+44 (0) 20 7759 1986 // sophie.mcelligott@britishfashioncouncil.com
For more information visit http://design.britishcouncil.org/projects/IFS/IFS2015