Fashion Fringe


	JENA.THEO It took a few seconds for Jenny & Dimitris, who make up design duo JENA.THEO, to realise that Donatella Versace had named them as the winners of the 2009 award. They stepped onto the stage for Eun Jeong, last year’s winner to hand over the beautiful and contemporary trophy designed by Jessica McCormack. Colin McDowell said ‘As always with judging process there was a lively discussion amongst our team of experts lead by Donatella Versace. All of the judges were in agreement on who should win, but there was great support for the other three finalists. I am feeling very confident for JENA.THEO, and a lot of is because of our home in the creative hub of Covent Garden, London.’ When the flashbulbs took a break Jenny Holmes, said, ‘I am feeling stunned and elated and privileged as all of the designers on this year’s platform so deserved to win. Having the support of everybody at Fashion Fringe at Covent Garden means we can make our dreams happen.’ Dimitris Theocharidis added, ‘I feel amazing, it has been a great platform, the mentoring and support was incredible. We feel really secure having the Fashion Fringe at Covent Garden support to help us make our next collection. Speaking after the show Donatella said “I am happy and proud to support Fashion Fringe at Covent Garden and today’s event confirmed my feelings. The qualities and standards of the four finalists was very high and has not been easy to take the final decision. We have awarded the duo JENA.THEO for their vision and freshness. I wish them a bright future under the expert guidance of the Fashion Fringe team” JENA.THEO now prepare for Paris where they take part in the sales exhibitions at Rendez-Vous Paris’ Jeu de Paume site before returning to London and moving into the new Fashion Fringe at Covent Garden studios. JENA.THEO Biography 2008 Eun Jeong When Donatella Versace announced ‘Eun Jeong and her collection ‘go by a secret path’ as the winner of Fashion Fringe at Covent Garden 2008, Eun Jeong Hong’s (known as EJ) first reaction was to look through the audience for her parents faces who had flown from Korea for the show. After being presented with the 2008 trophy, designed by Russian jewellery designer Elena Kozhevnikova. EJ was overcome with emotion and disbelief “I am lost for words – I feel very lucky to have been given this opportunity by Fashion Fringe at Covent Garden. The last few months have been incredible and the support we have received from the Fashion Fringe at Covent Garden team and mentors has been invaluable” she said. ‘I thought the collection ‘go by a secret path’ was the far most outstanding; it had tailoring and the soft frivolous fantasy feel as well; the collection hung together as a story’, Hilary Alexander – The Telegraph. Eun Jeong’s Fashion Fringe at Covent Garden SS09 collection is available online on Net-A-Porter.com and in store at Selfridges. Eun Jeong biography www.eunjeong.co.uk 2007 Aminaka Wilmont As Tom Ford announced the design duo Aminaka Wilmont Fashion Fringe at Covent Garden winner 2007. The crowd erupted as Gavin Douglas handed over the trophy designed this year by Manolo Blahnik – one of the world’s most influential shoe designers. After the noise died down and reality set in they said “Being given this accolade is an amazing honour and has afforded us a fantastic opportunity. Fashion Fringe at Covent Garden as an initiative is a great platform for elevating upcoming designers to the next level. One only has to take a look at the past winners’ stories to see what’s now within our grasp.” Fashion Fringe at Covent Garden’s Creative Director, Colin McDowell stated “The standard was extremely high and it was a tough call. After a lot of heated discussion, it was finally agreed that the winners were undoubtedly Aminaka Wilmont.” Along with all the business support and expert advice required to establish their own business, the winners’ collection will also be exhibiting in Paris and available to buy via the world’s premier luxury fashion e-tailer Net-A-Porter.com. In addition to this, from Spring 2008, Aminaka Wilmont will see their specially designed sunglasses available in over 970 Superdrug stores nationwide in April, via the Superdrug Accessory Award. Aminaka Wilmont biography www.aminakawilmont.com 2006 Gavin Douglas On being announced the winner, lifting the Red Bull Fashion Fringe at Covent Garden Wings trophy, designed by jeweller Solange Azagury-Partridge, Gavin was momentarily speechless. "I'm over the moon. It is an amazing opportunity to take my work to the next level. After all the years of hard work it's a dream come true." Fashion Fringe at Covent Garden's Creative Director Colin McDowelll comments, "Fashion Fringe at Covent Garden has proved once again that with the right support young British designers can flourish. Fashion Fringe at Covent Garden is not about producing stars - but it is about maintaining international interest and subsequent business support in British design talent. I am delighted that the industry continues to embrace this vision" Gavin Douglas' collection is for sale online exclusively on Yoox.com and in Harrods, giving him unprecedented access to the global marketplace. Gavin Douglas biography www.gavindouglasdesign.co.uk 2005 Erdem Moralioglu Winning Fashion Fringe at Covent Garden has enabled Erdem to turn his creative talents into a real business. Erdem won two accounts in the UK as a result of Fashion Fringe at Covent Garden - Harrods and Ashley's boutique. Both are incredible achievements for a debut collection. And so to Erdem's first full collection for Autumn Winter 2006. A successful runway show at the V&A Museum on February 14th 2006 has garnered positive feedback from critics and press."Making his catwalk debut, young designer Erdem Moralioglu looked like he had been inspired by iconic 1940's designer Elsa Schiaparelli. Satin dresses covered in prints of birds in flight, strictly tailored grey flannel trouser suits and ankle-length deckchairstripe dresses all made for a strong collection. His accessory of choice was a tiny disc of a hat perched saucily over one eye". (David Hayes, Evening Standard) To date, S/S sales interest has come from the UK, Australia, US, Japan, Greece and the Emirates. Erdem Moralioglu Biography www.erdem.co.uk 2004 Basso & Brooke Basso & Brooke won the prestigious Fashion Fringe at Covent Garden 2004 Award with a collection that was sexually exuberating, using prints that were almost classic and Libertyesque that on close inspection was an orgiastic carnival of sexual liberation and allegories of power. With a selection panel that includes among its members Rosemary Bravo (Burberry’s CEO), Alexandra Shulman (Editor in Chief, Vogue UK) and Hamish Bowles (American Vogue). Basso & Brooke have since entered a production and distribution agreement with the Aeffe Group, who also represents Alberta Ferretti, Moschino, Narciso Rodrigues, Jean Paul Gaultier and Pollini brands. Basso & Brooke Biography www.bassoandbrooke.com