Fashion Fringe at Covent Garden Accessories 2009 Announces Finalists

 

Thursday 14th May – Fashion Fringe at Covent Garden Accessories 2009 has announced the five finalists following the first stage of the selection process, Anna Kichenside with her label 'ANИA'; Heather Blake; Helen Robotham; Kerrie Luft and Monisola Omboso with her label 'Pamela Pea:

 

Sebastian Manes, Director of Accessories at Selfridges said, “It was very interesting to see such an eclectic group of people this year, all with such rich designs. Several stood out to us, so choosing five was incredibly difficult. I’m really looking forward to meeting this season’s designers and seeing how each of them will present to us, it should be very interesting.”

                         

                     

 

The five finalists have been invited to come to the home of Fashion Fringe, Covent Garden London to be interviewed by the high profile judging panel which is chaired by Tamara Mellon, Founder and CEO of Jimmy Choo. They will be judged on their business acumen, creativity, vision, longevity and commitment to the future of the British fashion industry. After the interviews the winner will be announced.

 

The winner will then go on to do a paid six month apprenticeship at Jimmy Choo, where they will be given intensive exposure to all aspects of the luxury accessories business, including design and development, dealing with the press and wholesale account management.

 

Fashion Fringe at Covent Garden is pleased to have the continued support of the following Partners: Covent Garden London, American Express, DHL, London Development Agency & Mayor's Office, NET-A-PORTER.COM, L'Oréal Paris and Sunday Times Style.  Fashion Fringe at Covent Garden is an IMG event.

 

- Ends -

For further information, please contact:

 

Katherine Clarke or Mercedes Simpson at Sputnik Communications

020 7439 2780

katherine@sputnikcomms.co.uk / mercedes@sputnikcomms.co.uk

 

Hannah Lawrence at Jimmy Choo

020 7368 5019

hannah.lawrence@jimmychoo.com

 

 

Notes to Editors:

Fashion Fringe at Covent Garden was launched in 2004 under the creative direction of fashion historian, Colin McDowell, and global sports, media and entertainment company IMG as a nationwide search to discover, nurture and sustain cutting edge design talent across the UK, with the Fashion Fringe at Covent Garden event taking place during London Fashion Week in September.

 

Fashion Fringe at Covent Garden has launched nine designers on the London Fashion scene:

• ·         Eun Jeong Hong (2008)
• ·         William Tempest (runner up in 2008)
• ·         Aminaka Wilmont (2007)
• ·         Gavin Douglas (2006)
• ·         Erdem (2005)
• ·         Modernist (runners up in 2005)
• ·         Jojo & Malou (2005)
• ·         Basso & Brooke (2004)
• ·         Sinha – Stanic (runners up in 2004)

 

Zimbabwe born Liam Fahy was awarded last year’s Fashion Fringe Shoes and has been working at Rupert Sanderson for the last 10 months.   They have co-designed the Paragon Shoe.