Fashion Fringe


	THE LAUNCH 2009 Fashion Fringe at Covent Garden 2009 was launched on 13th March which marked the opening of the application process. To mark the occasion a Fashion Fringe at Covent Garden launch party, hosted by Vanity Fair, Donatella Versace and Colin McDowell, was held to celebrate the re-launch of the 2009 platform. The much anticipated launch party held in new bar ‘Tini, Guy Pelle’s new offering, attracted some of the biggest names in fashion. Claudia Schiffer, Natalie Vodianova, Roland Mouret, Tamara Mellon, Jacquetta Wheeler, Tamara Eccleston, Jonathan Saunders, Holly Branson, Trinny Woodall, Jo Wood enjoyed the bespoke ‘Fringetini’ and ‘Donatella Delight” cocktails created by Tini Mixologist Gianfranco and toasted the start of the 2009 nationwide search to discover and nurture cutting edge British design talent. Honorary chair Donatella Versace says “This is my second year as Chairperson for Fashion Fringe at Covent Garden, a position and association that I am very proud of. Fashion Fringe at Covent Garden provides a fantastic platform for young design talent to emerge from, and I am exciting to see what discoveries we will make in 2009.” View 2008 Launch Images View 2007 Launch Images Following the official launch the Fashion Fringe at Covent Garden Virtual Road Show returns on Wednesday 25th March. Creative Director, Colin McDowell will host ‘Ladies Night’ where London’s top Press and Buying experts will openly discuss fashion in London, London’s creativity and style. The high profile panel of experts include Averyl Oates, Buying Director at Harvey Nichols, Dolly Jones, Editor of Vogue.co.uk, Lorraine Candy, Editor in Chief of Elle, Sophia Neophitou-Apostolou, Editor in Chief of 10 and10+ magazines and Claudia Croft, Fashion Features Director at The Sunday Times. THE SELECTION 2009 SEMI-FINALISTS After receiving a record breaking number of potential applicants, on 13th May (it really was lucky for some) at the home of Fashion Fringe Covent Garden, the 2009 jury hunted through the shortlisted budding design talent for this year’s Semi-Finalists. After a long day the jury comprising of Alison Roberts of Antoni & Alison; Anne Pitcher of Selfridges; Claudia Plant of Net-A-Porter.com; Joshua Schulman of Jimmy Choo; Lee Wood of Versace, who flew in just for the day from Milan and Roy Peach of London College of Fashion chose the following 10 Semi-Finalists Damba Edna Cole Elliot Atkinson JENA THEO Jasper Garvida LIDIJA&DEJAN Masha Ma Romina Karamanea Teatum Jones Yelena Smirnova FINALISTS 2009 FINALISTS The day all the semi-finalists had all been waiting for finally came on Tuesday 19th May – their first and only chance to impress the Fashion Fringe at Covent Garden judging panel face to face. After a long 2 days, which included the technical day at the London College of Fashion and nerve wracking interviews for the semi-finalists the hard task of choosing and announcing the final 4 for 2009 was left up to the judges. After a long period of discussion and deliberating their decision was made: Elliot Atkinson JENA THEO LIDIJA&DEJAN Yelena Smirnova 2008 FINALISTS Eun Jeong LF Markey Sarah Easom William Tempest 2007 FINALISTS Andrea McWha DE-JAN Graeme Armour Aminaka Wilmont THE EVENT 2009 The hotly anticipated Fashion Fringe at Covent Garden catwalk event took place on Monday 21st September, as part of the official London Fashion Week schedule, in its home, the heart of London’s creative hub, Covent Garden. Guest sipped bespoke champagne, delicious cocktails from the Pincer Vodka bar and nibbled gourmet canapés from The London Kitchen in the colourful kaleidoscope decorated venue before walking further into the belly of the venue. The lights dimmed and UV lit paint splattered walls guided people to the show space configured with four catwalks. The finalists, Elliot Atkinson, JENA.THEO, LIDIJA&DEJAN and Yelena, were interviewed by CNN, Sky News and Beijing TV in the buzzing backstage, all holding their nerves before showcasing their 12 look capsule collections to the international judging panel and guests. Watching the show was an eclectic crowd of national and international press and buyers, celebrities, mentors, sponsors and friends – Roland Mouret (2008 judge), model and ambassador Erin O’Connor, singer Nicola Roberts, Nicole F Selecting the winner were Anne Pitcher, Selfridges; Antoni Burakowski (Antoni & Alison); Joshua Schulman (Jimmy Choo): Natalie Massenet, Net-A-Porter.com; Paula Reed (Grazia), Professor Roy Peach, London College of Fashion and 2008 & 2009 Chair Donatella Versace. View 2008 Event Video View 2008 Event Images View 2008 Finalists Images View 2007 Event Images View 2007 Finalists Designs