Fashion Fringe


	THE LAUNCH Fashion Fringe 2008 was launched in Sunday Times Style on 9th March which marks the opening of the application process. To mark the occasion a Fashion Fringe launch party, hosted by Colin McDowell, will be held to celebrate the re-launch of Fashion Fringe and first time honorary chair Donatella Versace who said "I am very honoured to be joining the committee of Fashion Fringe as their Chairperson,” says Donatella Versace. “This is an event which I have had great interest in since it began in 2004; London has an unbeatable reputation as the originator of unique fashion talent, and it is very exciting for me to be personally involved in discovering and supporting that talent through the Fashion Fringe initiative." The party held in The Drawing Room at Claridge’s in London, saw the good and the great of the fashion and celebrity world sipping Laurent-Perrier champagne, including Daphne Guinness, Elizabeth Saltzman, Manolo Blahnik, Roland Mouret, Joan Burstein, Natalie Massenet, Rupert Sanderson, Erdem, Stuart Rose, Harold Tillman, Solange Azagury-Partridge. View 2008 Launch Images View 2007 Launch Images THE SELECTION On 9th May 2008 the Fashion Fringe Selection Committee took a day to look at 74 shortlisted applications that were of a very high standard to choose 10 Semi Finalists Bovary Death for a Doll Go By a Secret Path LF Markey Maakie Mekking Maria Malychina Olivia Rubin Sarah Easom Steve J & Yoni P William Tempest FINALISTS 2008 FINALISTS In Covent Garden London, on Thursday 15th May 2008, after a gruelling day of interviews, Fashion Fringe’s Honorary Chair, Donatella Versace, announced the 2008 finalists. Following a day of technical ability and practical tests at the London College of Fashion the finalists were chosen by the expert judging panel that consisted of Anne Pitcher (Selfridges), Donatella Versace, Jonathan Akeroyd (Alexander McQueen), Lucinda Chambers (Vogue UK), Natalie Massenet (Net-A-Porter.com), Roland Mouret and Roy Peach (London College of Fashion. The four finalists will now take part in Fashion Fringe’s Mentoring month and be given a budget and a studio at the London College of Fashion to create a capsule collection which will be presented to industry press and buyers, at the event held during London Fashion Week in September. Donatella Versace comments: “I was very excited to be here today as I saw a lot of talent. Unfortunately, we had to choose four, but I feel that they have a great future ahead of them. I am very proud to be a part of Fashion Fringe.” The finalists were; Go by a Secret Path LF Markey Sarah Easom William Tempest 2007 FINALISTS Andrea McWha DE-JAN Graeme Armour Aminaka Wilmont THE EVENT The 2007 runway show and champagne reception was held in Covent Garden Number One the Piazza after the catwalk show in a specifically designed structure on the West Piazza. The area was buzzing with activity with L’Oreal Paris makeovers on the Superdrug Fashion Fringe beauty bus and passers-by scrambling to watch the action on plasma screens that were dotted around the area. The finalists, Graeme Armour, Andrea McWha, De-Jan and Aminaka Wilmont showcased their capsule Spring/Summer 2008 collection, specifically designed for Fashion Fringe, in front of industry luminaries, accredited press and buyers as well as a host of VIP guests that included Naomi Campbell, Claudia Schiffer, Erin O’Connor, Louise Redknapp and Oswald Boateng. Selecting the winner were Anne Pitcher, Selfridges; Christopher Bailey (from his studio in Milan), Burberry; Elizabeth Saltzman, Vanity Fair; Hamish Bowles, American Vogue; Natalie Massenet, Net-A-Porter.com; Roy Peach, London College of Fashion; chaired by Tom Ford. View 2007 Event Images View 2007 Finalists Designs