The Fashion Forward scheme sponsored by Coutts & Co and supported by the London Development Agency, was established 4 years ago to provide funding to talented emerging British designers to show and develop their businesses in London. London Fashion Week is the most creative and dynamic event on the international fashion calendar promoting established and emerging British design talent to a global audience. Fashion Forward is a key British Fashion Council initiative to promote emerging design talent. The award provides the winner with a cash prize to showcase their collection and access to knowledge to develop their business.
Fashion Forward applicants are judged by a panel of experts including Simon Ward, Chief Executive of the BFC (Joint); Anna Orsini, BFC Consultant; Alan Marshall, Coutts & Co; Emma Elwick, Vogue; Lorraine Candy, Elle; Nicola Copping, Financial Times and Sarah Mower, Style.com/Vogue US and BFC’s Ambassador for Emerging Talent. Previous Fashion Forward winners include Christopher Kane, Erdem, Giles Deacon, Jonathan Saunders, Marios Schwab, Richard Nicoll, Roksanda Illincic.
and Sinha-Stanic.
Louise Goldin’s cutting edge, pastel “SS10” collection was an elegant and upbeat showcase of her pioneering techniques and a highly accurate reflection of her reputation as being at the vanguard of knitwear design. Goldin's powerful silhouettes and body contouring defy traditional knitwear structures. She meticulously researches new technologies between her studio in London and her factory in Italy which have led to her signature design of innovative programmed techniques where she creates her own knitted fabric and textures, combined with structured, sculpted garments.
Louise Goldin said, “I am so proud to be a winner of this prestigious award—Fashion Forward. It is amazing to have the support from The British Fashion Council, Coutts and industry experts. I am even more driven to create my most successful collection yet! Receiving the financial sponsorship enables me to create pieces which are commercially viable yet maintain creative integrity”.
The Mayor of London Boris Johnson said, “All around the world, people love London's cool and funky designers, who, like Louise Goldin bring skill as well as innovative flair. This terrific scheme gives them an international platform and the business know-how to help them convert their ideas into profit and even bigger success.”
Harold Tillman, Chairman of the British Fashion Council said, “London’s reputation for creativity is largely fuelled by its innovative fashion designers of which Louise is a great example. We are incredibly proud of the talent and potential here in London which is being watched closely by the world’s media and buyers. I would like to thank Coutts for sponsoring Fashion Forward this season and the London Development Agency for their continued support.”
Michael Morley, Chief Executive of Coutts & Co said, "Coutts is thrilled to be sponsoring Fashion Forward, showcasing London’s status as the hotbed of emerging talent. This sponsorship re-enforces our commitment to the world of contemporary creative industries, where the last few years have seen us enjoy highly successful relationships with fashion designers such as Stella McCartney, Alice Temperley and Oswald Boateng; and sponsorship of Matthew Williamson’s ‘10 Years in Fashion’ retrospective at the Design Museum and most recently Coutts London Jewellery Week. The UK is a world leader at creating new fashion designers and Coutts is determined to support this emerging talent with mentoring schemes, providing business acumen and training, and financial advice to support the next generation."
Lurene Joseph, Group Director of Communications and Marketing at the London Development Agency said, “We are pleased that the London Development Agency’s investment in Fashion Forward is helping to support some of London’s emerging design talent. We have already seen impressive results from previous Fashion Forward winners like Erdem and Christopher Kane, and it is fantastic that this programme is continuing to help up and coming designers to establish successful businesses, provide jobs and become household names.”
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