Fashion Fringe at Covent Garden 2009
For a flavour of what to expect, check out this film of last year’s show featuring the four finalists and the worthy winner, Eun Jeong , whose Fashion Fringe at Covent Garden capsule collection ‘go by a secret path’ won over the judges.
Eun Jeong is showing at London Fashion Week for the first time on Friday 20th February 2009. We have two exclusive pairs of tickets to be won by two lucky reader for her show – click here for more information.
2009 is the sixth year of Fashion Fringe at Covent Garden, the hottest thing to hit British fashion in the last 20 years, and the third year it will be hosted at Covent Garden. Created in 2004 under the creative direction of Colin McDowell MBE, managed and produced by IMG, and this year will again be chaired by Donatella Versace. The challenge is to encourage emerging talent in the UK’s fashion industry. As such, the platform is looking for cutting-edge, innovative designers who have the potential to grow into strong, viable businesses. In other words, there’s no point being wild if your creations can’t sell.
Fashion Fringe at Covent Garden has launched the careers of rising fashion stars Basso & Brooke, Erdem , Gavin Douglas and Aminaka Wilmont and has made its home in Covent Garden, from the initial selection process and mentoring programs, to the finale – the final runway show during London Fashion Week in September in front of the fashion world elite.
The advisory panel includes Miuccia Prada, John Galliano, Katie Grand, Hussein Chalayan and Marc Jacobs. The winner receives a two year bespoke package of mentoring, business advice, planning, marketing, studio space and development grants through various Fashion Fringe at Covent Garden partners.
If you think you’ve got what it takes, or know someone who should get involved, here are the key dates for Fashion Fringe at Covent Garden 2009.
March 15:
Application process opens
Go to www.fashionfringe.co.uk –
the next stage of your fashion career starts here!
March:
Virtual Road Show
See the Fashion Fringe at Covent Garden website for details of this eagerly
anticipated lecture and debate featuring fashion luminaries and previous
Fashion Fringe at Covent Garden winners.
End of April:
Application deadline
May 12 – 13:
Application Selection Meetings 1 & 2, semi finalists
announced
10 designers are selected to go through to the next round.
May 18 – 19:
Semi finalist workshop and interviews with judges
The judges are looking for strength of character, as well as a good eye for
design
June:
Mentoring month with manufacturers, lawyers, buying & sales
experts, business & finance managers and mentors
This is where the true value of expert advice will raise your designs to new
heights.
July – August:
Designers move into studios & work on final
collections
It’s time for your ideas to become a reality.
Early September:
Look book shoot
The full flavour of your designs is captured in its entirety.
Late September:
Catwalk Event & Winner announced
A glamorous ceremony in the heart of Covent Garden sees the Fashion Fringe at
Covent Garden winner crowned.
September – October:
Winner to meet various PRs, take their collection to Paris and meet
with retailers, meet with e-tailers, move into new studio and announce their
chosen PR agency
The dream has become a commercial reality.
October – January 2010:
Nurturing of winner
Getting you ready for the ultimate showcase.
February 2010:
Winner’s show at London Fashion Week
This may seem like the fulfilment of all your dreams but it is, in fact, only
the beginning of your journey.
Video credited to Michael Cleary
Image credited to Jeff Moore