Fashion Fringe


	MANIFESTO Fashion Fringe at Covent Garden believes in: The Vitality and Energy of London, Great Britain The Uniqueness of British Design Talent The Necessity for Extreme Creativity Total Modernity Youth A Commitment to the Future of British Fashion WHAT IS FASHION FRINGE AT COVENT GARDEN? Created in 2004 by IMG global sports, entertainment and media company, under the creative direction of Colin McDowell, the challenge is to re-invigorate the fashion industry in London. Fashion Fringe at Covent Garden is looking for cutting edge, iconoclastic talent in design and creativity to continue the tradition Britain has long been famous for. We are ever more dedicated to our belief that, in order to keep British fashion strong, it must be invigorated by the introduction of new sustainable talent. Fashion Fringe at Covent Garden is the nationwide search for such talent. We are looking for cutting edge, innovative designers who can grow into strong, viable businesses. We want excitement but we also need creative and business reality. The successful person winning the Fashion Fringe at Covent Garden Award will have determination, passion, self-belief and a strong aesthetic to carry them through the difficulties faced by all creators at the outset of their careers. We want people who can not only dream but have the will to make the dream a reality, people who will not give in and be prepared to fight for everything up to five years before they can say that they have a viable and profitable business. If you have the skill and determination we will help you to make it a reality. HOW DID FASHION FRINGE AT COVENT GARDEN COME ABOUT? Colin McDowell MBE, fashion historian and senior fashion writer for the Sunday Times Style Magazine, felt that in order to help British fashion regain its place as a powerhouse of cutting edge originality, young talent needed to be targeted to make a dynamic fringe event to coincide with London Fashion Week. He is even more convinced now that young designers are worthy of all the support we can give them. Download Colin McDowell's Biography WHO ARE THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE? Renowned designers, buyers, senior press and fashion academies collectively form Fashion Fringe at Covent Garden’s International Advisory Committee, chaired by Donatella Versace, who took over from Tom Ford. Fashion Fringe at Covent Garden's Creative Director, Colin McDowell, explains "Although London fashion has generally been considered innovative, young designers have often failed because of lack of experience and technical knowledge. It is hard for them to get industry advice because our manufacturing capacity is small. That is why Fashion Fringe at Covent Garden has set up an International Advisory Committee of supporters, all of whom are highly respected in their fields, to give us the benefit of their experience, advice and opinions. They do not have executive status in Fashion Fringe at Covent Garden: basically they are friends, people we trust and admire, people who share our enthusiasm for Fashion Fringe at Covent Garden, people who have generously agreed togive us the advantage of their knowledge and expertise for which we are very grateful". Click here to view the Advisory Panel HOW DOES FASHION FRINGE AT COVENT GARDEN WORK? Fashion Fringe at Covent Garden is an annual project, launched to find and nurture undiscovered British designers. The hunt begins with the re-launch of this website and through an extensive PR campaign. The deadline date for applications is Friday 1st May 2009. On 18th & 19th May, 10 semi-finalists will be invited to London to have their abilities tested in a technical day at the London College of Fashion before being interviewed by our panel of fashion industry heavy-weights and business experts. The 4 finalists will be announced on 19th May. They will then spend the next 3 months working on their collections. During this time they will undergo an intensive mentoring programme and Fashion Fringe at Covent Garden will provide them with the funds, studio space and technical assistance to create 12 "looks" for their Fashion Fringe at Covent Garden capsule collection, which will be shown in London as part of the official Fashion Week in September. HOW DO I APPLY FOR FASHION FRINGE AT COVENT GARDEN? Fashion Fringe at Covent Garden is open to both UK and Eire residents, (residing in their respective countries for a minimum of 3 years) or hold a valid work permit and must be over the age of 21. Please see full terms and conditions attached to the application form There are 2 vital elements to the application process. 1. The Application. You will have until the 1st of May to complete the questionnaire and produce drawings for a capsule collection of 12 “looks”. This portfolio and application must adhere to the full terms and conditions of entry. 2. The Interviews. The 10 short-listed semi-finalists will be invited to London to discuss their applications. A technical day will be held at the London College of Fashion followed by a day of board interviews with our panel of designers, buyers, academics, business managers and journalists to whom the designers will present their portfolios and introduce at least one finished garment or toile from the proposed collection What we are looking for is an ability to demonstrate determination, courage as well as design creativity and business acumen. We want self-belief and passion but we also need commitment, business-sense and practicality. Successful semi-finalists will be notified in early May. WHAT HAPPENS IF I AM CHOSEN AS A FINALIST? We provide you with a budget and support to create your Fashion Fringe at Covent Garden capsule collection. The budget will cover living expenses, buying fabric, paying technical staff. You will be in consultation with technical advisers and Fashion Fringe at Covent Garden Mentors who are on hand to help you find the best way to realise your ideas. In June you will attend mentoring sessions and in July and August you will work with technical staff to help cut and make your collection. AND IF I WIN? You will receive a bespoke package of mentoring, business advice & planning, marketing and development grants through associated Fashion Fringe at Covent Garden partners. LATEST NEWS Watch the Fashion Fringe at Covent Garden 2008 Road Show exclusively on Vogue.com Fashion Fringe at Covent Garden Newsletter - June 2007 Fashion Fringe at Covent Garden Newsletter - July 2007 Fashion Fringe at Covent Garden Newsletter - December 2007 Fashion Fringe at Covent Garden Newsletter - March 2008 Fashion Fringe at Covent Garden Newsletter - May 2008 Fashion Fringe at Covent Garden Newsletter - July 2008 Fashion Fringe at Covent Garden Newsletter - October 2008 Fashion Fringe at Covent Garden Newsletter - February 2009