20/11/08 – Awarding tomorrow’s fashion talent
Last night’s FashionExpo ’08 Gala Evening was THE place to be as over 20 designers and manufacturers took to the catwalk in front of an audience of VIP guests. Exhibitors at this year’s event were competing for the prestigious awards presented at the gala by retail sponsors Debenhams, Hobbs and Topshop. This year’s FashionExpo award winners are:
The Menswear Designer Award by Debenhams was won by Credau, who specialise in freestyle clothing - offering a touch of raw creativity to engineered designs and computerised prints.
The Hobbs Award for Design was won by J&R Design Ltd, a designer handbag manufacturer specialising in leather and skins whose clients include LK Bennett, All Saints, Oliver London, Matthew Williamson and Paul Smith.
The final award of the night was the Topshop Award for Excellence in Sample Production. Stephen Mongan, Sourcing and Technical Manager of Topshop, commented on stage: “It takes a day like today to make us realise the huge talent that’s out there.” Larisa Judina won this prestigious award, following 3 years of catwalk sampling and production orders for London fashion designers.
Compere for the gala Laura Bailey concluded, “FashionExpo is a worthwhile and groundbreaking initiative that supports so many talented individuals in the fashion industry. Tonight was a great opportunity to showcase the industry and allow both design and manufacture to take the spotlight.”
For photos of the winners please click here
20/11/08 – A round-up of FashionExpo ‘08
Over 1,300 retail buyers, designers, journalists, students and aficionados flocked to the Business Design Centre yesterday to witness two stunning catwalk shows from cutting-edge fashion businesses. The exhibition for 64 of London’s designers and manufacturers included a dedicated Business Support Zone as well as four over-subscribed workshops led by industry experts.
Louise Roe, fashion journalist and TV presenter for Vogue TV and GMTV commented: “FashionExpo is a one of a kind showcase – much like a stock exchange for the fashion world. Designers are able to meet and do business with buyers, manufacturers and press, an opportunity they might never otherwise have had. The standard of design I saw today was incredibly high, and the people involved are passionate about manufacturing in London. It's a crucial platform that sets a precedent for the industry.”
The event continued on into the night with an exclusive Gala Evening and awards ceremony, compered by former model and journalist Laura Bailey. A private view of the exhibition preceded the dramatic catwalk shows, after which Laura introduced awards from retail sponsors Topshop, Debenhams and Hobbs. FashionExpo exhibitors who had particularly impressed the judges will now receive ongoing support from the retailers to develop their businesses.
05/11/08 - Laura Bailey supports FashionExpo '08
As a prominent face in the fashion industry and campaigner for sustainable fashion, Laura Bailey is the perfect choice to showcase the quality talent that London has to offer. With both designers and manufacturers in the exhibition, and in the Profile and Platform catwalk shows, FashionExpo will bring great exposure to many London-based brands.
Laura sees the environmental benefits of encouraging retailers to source quality materials locally and is also delighted to promote better collaboration between design and production. FashionExpo '08 is set to become one of the most influential fashion events of the year.
Laura comments: “FashionExpo is a worthwhile and groundbreaking initiative that supports so many talented individuals in the fashion industry. I'm looking forward to seeing their creations on the catwalk, which is a great opportunity to showcase the industry and allow both design and manufacture to take the spotlight."
05/11/08 - Designer and Manufacturers announced for fashion shows
A list of some of the most visually stunning and high quality designers and manufacturers appearing on the catwalk has now been released. The exhibitors have been plucked from a long list of applicants and FashionExpo is delighted to be able to welcome 15 womenswear, menswear and accessories designers as well as 8 apparel and accessories manufacturers to this year's event:
Profile designer catwalk show:
- Credau
- Gadja Fashion Group
- Gina Izu London
- Lulu & Lush – FGM UK Ltd
- Molessa
- Nichole de Carle
- Nico Kubisch London
- Uciyan Reevamp
WITH ACCESSORIES BY:
- Amethyst Handbags & Accessories
- Finethings
- Fosuism
- Lua Lua
- Tennovay
Platform manufacturer catwalk show:
- Excel Apparel Ltd
- First Fruit Trading - FFGM
- G.E. Designs
- Kerry Hope Ltd
- Norris Raymond Ltd
- Moksa
- Yesevi Designs Ltd
WITH ACCESSORIES BY:
- J&R Design Ltd
All catwalk show exhibitors will be on stage from 15.00 on 19th November so be sure to get there in time!
04/11/08 - FashionExpo '08 promotes ethical fashion
The designers and manufacturers exhibiting at FashionExpo understand how green needs to become the fashionable colour if the industry is to thrive. Many of them have admirable ethical credentials, such as 21 Things I Love, Embellished Truth, Ruby Rocks, Nicole de Carle and Poppy Valentine. Poppy Valentine champions eco-consciousness by recycling vintage prints ranging from the 1940s to the 1970s to produce beautiful bespoke fashion accessories and clothing.
Mark Liu, one of the most innovative talents to come out of Central Saint Martins in recent years pioneers "Zero Waste Fashion". Liu will be exhibiting and speaking at 'Is Green the colour of money?' a workshop chaired by the Ethical Fashion Forum which will look at how businesses can develop greener business practices, highlight the advantages of local production and utilise eco credentials as a marketing tool.
In a climate where trends have an ever shorter shelf-life, buyers are finding it more and more crucial to be able to source in-season. FashionExpo offers a fantastic opportunity for retailers to look for partnerships closer to home. Local sourcing is not only cost effective and a faster option it is also more environmentally friendly – cutting out the carbon footprint caused by long-haul transportation.
14/10/08 – Debenhams joins FashionExpo '08 as retail sponsor
Debenhams has joined forces with FashionExpo once again to support London fashion businesses. Buyers from Debenhams will be looking for the latest trends at this year's event and will present one lucky FashionExpo exhibitor with an award for outstanding design.
Adam Creasey, Director of Menswear at Debenhams said: “Debenhams have been the originators of true designer collections on the high street and our continual support for new and emerging talent demonstrates Debenhams' commitment to continual newness and unique collections for our customers. We are delighted to be supporting Profile at this year's FashionExpo and we are looking forward to reviewing some premium collections at the exhibition and on the catwalk."
02/10/08 - Propress to sponsor FashionExpo '08
FashionExpo are delighted to announce Propress as a sponsor of this year's event. Propress are a leading manufacturer of fabric steamers: "Our passion began 25 years ago when we discovered a revolutionary way of eliminating creases – the fabric steamer. We immediately saw its potential for speed and efficiency and as a result we developed the very first Propress steamer. Today, we have perfected the art. We are entirely dedicated to building steamers (that's all we do) and this has driven us to create the ultimate steamer that does what you want it to do – and fast."
Propress have been kind enough to offer a top-of-the-range clothes steamer to one lucky attendee. Simply pre-register to attend the event and sign in with your badge on the day and you'll be entered into the prize draw.
As well as donating a steamer as a competition prize, Propress will also provide the steamers that will be used backstage for the catwalk shows. Two steamers will be available to exhibitors at FashionExpo to ensure their garments are looking perfect and Propress will be giving demonstrations on the floor of the exhibition on the 19th November.
To find out more about Propress, please visit www.propress.co.uk
04/09/08 - Topshop and Hobbs announce their sponsorship of FashionExpo ‘08
Retail giants Topshop and Hobbs have once again committed to sponsoring FashionExpo. As the UK's most innovative and directional high-street fashion brand, Topshop waves the flag of fashionable London and will support fashion manufacturers at this year's event. Hobbs represents the very best of high-street fashion for career-minded women and will aim to nurture London's talented young designers.
Topshop's Sourcing and Technical Manager Stephen Mongan comments: “Topshop is delighted again to confirm their ongoing support for the FashionExpo event. This season we are looking for Excellence in Sample Production which is a key part of our production process. We would like to wish every unit applying and exhibiting a successful event and look forward to reviewing each exhibitor individually."
Nick Samuels, non-Executive Director of Hobbs adds, “Hobbs is delighted to confirm its ongoing support for FashionExpo and the designer show Profile. They have proved to be a resounding success, not only to Hobbs but also for the new and emerging designer talent within London. The collaboration of Profile with FashionExpo in November at the Business Design Centre is an excellent match. This is just what London has been waiting for – a trade event showcasing the best of the capital's designers with the quality of manufacturing today."
11/08/08 - The City Fringe Partnership launches FashionExpo ‘08
Wednesday 19th November 2008, Business Design Centre, Islington.
Following its inaugural success last year, FashionExpo makes its eagerly awaited return on November 19, 2008 as the only exhibition to unite London's designers and production units with retail buyers. The one-day exhibition will include catwalk shows for designers and manufacturers, a Business Support Zone as well as workshops from industry experts.
The Business Design Centre will play host to the fashion capital's hottest new talent with over 80 exhibitors, providing a glamorous but affordable platform for London-based designers and manufacturers to promote their collections and quality of production skills to retailers. Retailers benefit from sourcing locally, reducing their carbon footprint and ensuring quick supply for in-season buying and production suited to small runs.
Sarah Purvis, Deputy Director for exhibition organisers the City Fringe Partnership, comments, “With around 21,000 people employed in the industry across London, we see FashionExpo as a new, collaborative and ethical way of doing business in the capital. FashionExpo unites the different segments of the industry - design, production and retail - making them more productive, providing new routes to market, promoting local production and sharing insider tips for small business growth."
FashionExpo is taking place for its second year on the back of the success of the 2007 event which boasted 60 exhibitors and support from retail giants Debenhams, Hobbs, Topshop and Whistles.
http://www.cityfringe.org.uk/sectors/fashion |
