Fashion Fringe


	ACCESSORIES Fashion Fringe at Covent Garden constantly strives to increase and further our support to the young designers who are part of the platform. In order to expand on this, in 2008 we started a new initiative – Fashion Fringe Shoes in conjunction with Rupert Sanderson, one of London’s brightest young design stars. Due to the success of the award in 2009 we aim to expand not just to shoes but to accessories. The new initiative will be chaired by Founder and President of Jimmy Choo, Tamara Mellon and the winner will be given a 6-month apprenticeship at Jimmy Choo. The apprenticeship has been designed to provide the winner with intensive exposure to all aspects of the luxury accessories business from design and development, to dealing with the press and wholesale account management. At the end of the apprenticeship the winner will be further advantaged to set up an independent business using the priceless experience and knowledge gained through exposure to international factories, trade fairs and the London business. Fashion Fringe at Covent Garden is extremely pleased to be able to be instrumental in this spear-heading initiative which we hope to augment by encouraging young talents in various other areas of fashion, in addition to our commitment to runway fashion designers. Colin McDowell Creative Director JIMMY CHOO “My vision has always been to fully accessorise and capture the hearts of women around the world by building a full luxury house with shoes at the core. I was extremely fortunate to have developed strong relationships over the years with superb Italian factories and production, sourcing quality materials and building an experienced and talented design team. I am proud to support emerging British talent and bring the winner of Fashion Fringe at Covent Garden Accessories under the helm of the creative team at Jimmy Choo.” Tamara Mellon, Founder and President, Jimmy Choo. Tamara Melon's biography www.jimmychoo.com APPLY – 2009 applications are now closed What we are looking for and why it’s necessary? The likely successful candidate will be an exceptional shoe/accessory design talent who is about to set up in business. What sort of person you should be? Self motivated and confident designer who has seriously thought through the pros and cons of wanting to be an independent luxury accessory designer. What knowledge & experience should you have? Ideally you should be a graduate from a design course who has worked in industry for a number of seasons and who can demonstrate their design work has been used commercially. But outstanding talent is the qualification we are looking for. You must adhere to all the terms and conditions stated on the application form in order to be eligible for entry. 2009 FINALISTS - FASHION FRINGE AT COVENT GARDEN ACCESSORIES On Thursday 14th May 2009 the FIRST EVER Accessories finalists were chosen! Out of 298 potential budding accessories designers Fashion Fringe at Covent Garden’s creative director Colin McDowell and judges were surprised at the slickness of the applications that were shortlisted. The winner, who will be chosen following another one of our gruelling interview days next week, will work alongside internationally renowned label Jimmy Choo for a 6 month salaried working apprenticeship within the company. The tailored programme has been designed to provide the winner with intensive exposure to all aspects of the luxury accessories business from design and development, to dealing with the press and wholesale account management. The finalists were chosen by a panel who were chaired by Tamara Mellon, Co-founder and Creative Director of Jimmy Choo; Lorraine Candy, Editor-in-Chief of ELLE UK; Rupert Sanderson and Sebastian Manes, Director of Accessories at Selfridges Click here to see sketches of the finalists ANИA Heather Blake Helen Robotham Kerrie Luft Monisola Omotoso 2009 WINNER Helen Robotham was today announced as our first Fashion Fringe at Covent Garden Accessories winner by Creative Director,Colin McDowell! Helen was chosen in Covent Garden following an interview with the panel of judges which consisted Lorraine Candy, Editor-in-Chief of ELLE UK; Rupert Sanderson; Sandra Choi, Creative Director of Jimmy Choo and Sebastian Manes, Director of Accessories at Selfridges. Helen was picked from five strong designers that made it through to the finals. Helen, who had just had “the worst week of her life”, is fresh from finishing her MA (with a distinction no less) in Fashion Artefact at the London College of Fashion has had previous experience working at Alexander McQueen. Helen Robotham Biography Click here to see 2008 images NEWS Coming Soon.