LFW to showcase international collections by emerging designers
London Fashion Week is positioning itself as a launchpad for international
emerging designers with a platform to showcase fashion talent from around
the world.
In partnership with the BRC, LCF, UAL, British Council and Somerset house,
the International Fashion Showcase (IFS) will show the work of sixteen
designers from Bangladesh, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, India, Georgia, Italy,
Kenya, Lebanon, Lithuania, Netherlands, Rwanda, South Africa, Sri Lanka,
Uruguay and Vietnam.
Showcase highlights
Duran Lantink from the Netherlands – whose ‘vagina’ trousers drew global
attention in Janelle Monae’s PYNK video – will present Straight from the
sale bins questioning the permanent state of sale and discount in the
fashion industry.
Cedric Mizero will use objects from everyday life in a Rwandan village to
draw attention to the marginalised communities and cultures in his country.
However, rather than focus on the negatives often associated with rural
life in a developing country, Mizero will celebrate the wealth of village
life.
Tom Trandt – the founder of Môi Ðiên in Vietnam – will use UV lights to
reveal embroidered slogans of protest about his home country where dissent
is illegal.
Thebe Magugu from South Africa seeks innovative ways to present women and
their role within South African society today. HIs designs feature motifs
from Africa’s story-rich past but with a forward-looking, global approach.
His installation will illustrate the profound changes in South Africa.
Sarah Mower MBE British Fashion Council Ambassador for Emerging Talent and
Chief Critic at Vogue.com, said in a statement: “As vast, daunting and digitally-driven as
the fashion industry can be, the most vital, exciting ideas often originate
from self-expression and personal relationships. This year, by inviting the
16 emerging designers to London for a summer residency, the International
Fashion Showcase took the principle of fostering personal exchange and
interaction to the next level. The results of the experience were
unexpectedly electric for all involved. Put simply, the knowledge,
eye-opening conversations and creative energy sparked in all directions
across the group.”
The exhibition will be free for both industry and public visitors,
celebrating global talent whilst discovering emerging designers that may
otherwise not be seen on the radar.
The designers will be supported through a bespoke online programme,
developed by London College of Fashion, UAL, which will cover all aspects
of business development from branding to sales and production to
sustainability.
The designers were given a residency to immerse themselves in the creative
community of Somerset House Studios, spending time with experts from London
College of Fashion, UAL reviewing their businesses and development as
bonafide fashion companies.
In recognition of the participants’ creativity and innovation, an award
will be presented to one designer during London Fashion Week February 2019.
The winner will be decided by a panel of cultural and commercial fashion
experts chaired by Sarah Mower MBE, BFC Ambassador for Emerging Talent and
Chief Critic Vogue.com.
Images courtesy of British Fashion Council