NEWS| Helen Lawrence Joins Fashion East for AW14

Last season's Ones to Watch designer Helen Lawrence joins design initiative Fashion East. Former Central Saint Martins student Helen, who received her design training from Mark Fast and Alexander McQueen, wowed the audience at last season's renowned Ones to Watch showcase with her unconventional fabrics and innovative cutting techniques. She is one of two new designers joining Fashion East next season and will be showcasing alongside Louise Alsop and Ashley Williams at Fashion East's AW14 showcase during London Fashion Week. 

"Sparks of excitement, which we particularly felt once the final three were chosen, are typical of Fashion East's accumulative effect over the years; it's a feat to recall all the talent they have showcased who now define London Fashion Week as we know it today." commented one of Fashion East's judges, PR guru Mandi Lennard.

Vogue.co.uk today featured the news mentioning the Fashion Scout star, "Central Saint Martins graduate Lawrence is known for her pastel-coloured knitwear" whilst ELLE UK commented: "her name may already ring some bells – she unveiled her s/s 2014 collection as part of Fashion Scout’s Ones to Watch show. Her focus is knitwear, modern pieces mixed with contrasting fabrics like denim and PVC."

Congratulations to Helen Lawrence, we can't wait to see next season's pieces on the catwalk! 

Written by Cass Gowing, Editor @CassGowing. Photography by Jamike Latif @JamikeLatif

EXCLUSIVE| Fashion Scout Selection Panel for AW14

Yesterday, our Fashion Scout AW14 panel joined together at Beach Blanket Babylon to decide who will be showcasing with Fashion Scout during London and Paris Fashion Week as well as who will be our esteemed Merit Award and Ones to Watch winners this season. 

It was the general consensus of our judges that this is set to be the strongest season on Fashion Scout yet and we're onto a new 'wave' or 'era' of designers. There was a really stong mix of wearability and contemporary design, prompting Vogue.com's Jessica Bumpus to say: "There's a lot of fresh, new designers this season. There seems to be a new spirit of design here".

The Merit Award and Ones to Watch winners will be announced in mid-December exclusively on British Vogue whilst we will announce the individual showcasing designers here on the blog in the run-up to releasing our provisional schedule for our AW14 London showcase in January. 

By Editor Cass Gowing @CassGowing
Photography by Hannah McGee @HannahMcG3e

INTERVIEW| Selection Panel AW14 and British Vogue Fashion Features Editor Jessica Bumpus

British Vogue's Jessica Bumpus returns to the Fashion Scout Selection Panel for another season to give her invaluable opinion to decide who should be part of our London and Paris Fashion Week showcase for AW14. 

Jessica has been part of British Vogue's online team as Fashion Features Editor for five years, has assisted on our Selection Panel for multiple seasons, as well as been an integral part of Fashion Scout's mentoring programmes.

Looking to impress Jessica? For her, it's more instinctual, "you know when you've seen something good, be it a mix of being commercially viable, extremely creative or just very cool", Jessica said when we caught up with her today. "It always helps, though, to see it both in the flesh and in lookbook format. Something on the rail might not work until you see it being worn and vice versa." 

Lucky enough to be picked today to showcase with Fashion Scout during LFW AW14? Jessica advises, "Be prepared and be enthusiastic about it, this is the chance to sell your work and yourself quite literally!!"

Written and interviewed by Editor Cass Gowing @CassGowing

INTERVIEW| Selection Panel AW14 and Founding Member of YBD Debra Hepburn

This season, we are thrilled to be joined by Founding Member of Young British Designers, Debra Hepburn, on the Fashion Scout Selection Panel. Launched in 2010, Young British Designers (YBD) is an innovative online retail platform that hand-picks emerging British fashion design talent and has worked closely with Fashion Scout and our designers for many seasons. In fact, "our very first season saw us find Eudon Choi, Charlotte Taylor and Felicity Brown", Debra Hepburn - one of four founding partners of YBD -  explains. Before Debra joined us at the Selection Panel today, we asked her a few quick fire questions to find out what will make designers stand out for her. 

The Ones to Watch initiative and Merit Award are acclaimed within the industry for scouting exciting new talent- what criteria must those designers meet for you personally?

To look like a real force in the making, however raw, and to hold together as a collection that is true to a uniquely held design point of view. To know that this season or next we can showcase them on Young British Designers and set the world alight further with even more of our brilliant Brit talent.

What are three qualities do you look for in a future Fashion Scout designer?
Standout, the tangible embryo (at least) of a design signature and an intangible thrill.

Any words of wisdom for Fashion Scout Designers who are picked today to showcase at FS AW14?
Take a big deep breath, concentrate hard, believe in yourself and your vision, don’t be swayed and emerge triumphant the other side!

Written and interviewed by Editor Cass Gowing @CassGowing

INTERVIEW| Selection Panel AW14, GFW Trustee and Journalist Hilary Alexander

Fashion Scout's Selection Panel are fortunate enough to once again be joined by Hilary Alexander. A renowned and inspiring journalist whose acclaimed journalism career includes working as Fashion Director of The Telegraph for 26 years, Hilary's contribution to the fashion industry have been recognised in countless awards include receiving the British Fashion Journalist of the Year accolade (twice!) at the British Fashion Awards and an OBE for her services in fashion journalism. 

In addition to being a trustee member of Fashion Scout's sister company, Graduate Fashion Week, Hilary has been part of the Fashion Scout selection panel for many seasons. 

"I look for something I haven't seen before, plus workmanship/talent for pattern-cutting and understanding of fabric/colour", said Hilary when we caught up with her ahead of tomorrow's Selection Panel. 

As an experience journalist, what advice does Hilary give for successful Fashion Scout designers ahead of their AW14 catwalk showcase? "[Shows should be] well-edited, well-lit, with interesting music, no waiting for the show to start longer than 20 minutes and brief but explanatory programme notes (especially if using unusual fabric/techniques)."

Designers, why not look to Hilary's past favourite Fashion Scout shows ("David Koma, Eudon Choi and Phoebe English") for inspiration!

Follow Hilary Alexander on Twitter @HilaryAlexander

Written and interviewed by Editor Cass Gowing @CassGowing

INTERVIEW| Selection Panel AW14 and Former Merit Award Winner Georgia Hardinge

Ahead of tomorrow's Selection Panel for Fashion Scout AW14, we caught up with past Merit Award Winner and Selection Panel member Georgia Hardinge to get her top tips for this season's applicants. 

Georgia Hardinge's SS14 collection was part of the Ones To Watch initiative whilst her AW11 collection was awarded with the Merit Award accolade in January 2011, provided her with the first stand-alone catwalk show. Since showcasing with Fashion Scout, Georgia's career rocketed; from receiving rave reviews in top titles including Grazia, Marie Claire, Sunday Times Style, British Vogue, Tatler and ID, to gaining celebrity fans of the brand such as Florence Welch, Lady Gaga and Erin O’Conner, to collaborating with Victoria's Secret, Lancome and most recently, River Island. 

1. What are the three qualities you will be looking for when choosing a future Fashion Scout designer?

Originality, authenticity and consistency

2. What criteria do you have for the Ones to Watch and Merit Award potential winner? What OTW/Merit Award winners of previous seasons really impressed you?

The design must show unique wear-ability and attention to detail. I loved Eudon Choi collection he's a great designer and the David Koma's Merit Award collection was a great success.

3. What advice can you give to designers who will be showcasing at London or Paris Fashion Week for the first time?

Get a good team together who are prepared to work hard!

Great advice from an incredible designer who knows being a OTW and Merit Award winning Fashion Scout designer first hand! We can't wait to find out who our designers are for AW14!

Follow Georgia on Twitter @HardingeGeorgia to keep up to date with her at the Fashion Scout panel tomorrow! 

Written and interviewed by Editor Cass Gowing @CassGowing

Images from Christopher Dadey and Push It Magazine

ANNOUNCEMENT| Fashion Scout Selection Panel AW14

The Fashion Scout Selection Panel for AW14 will take place on Wednesday evening at Beach Blanket Babylon, Shoreditch. With nearly 200 international designer applying, our reputation as the leading platform for global design talent in the industry is growing from strength to strength!

Key industry experts will be joining us to choose the designers for Fashion Scout's AW14 showcase at London and Paris Fashion Week, which will be taking place on February 14-18 2013 and February 27-March 4. In addition, the panel will be making the tricky decision of who receives the coveted Merit Award and who will take place in our prestigious One's To Watch showcase.

We are thrilled to announce exclusively, the Selection Panel for Fashion Scout AW14: 

Martyn Roberts - Fashion Scout Director and Co-Founder

Jessica Bumpus - Fashion Features Editor at Vogue.com

Hilary Alexander - Graduate Fashion Week trustee and legendary journalist

Debra Hepburn - Founding Member of Young British Designers

Georgia Hardinge - Designer & former Fashion Scout Merit Award Winner

Rebekah Roy - Renowned stylist

Follow us on Twitter and Instagram for exclusive behind the scenes snaps of the Selection Panel event - the countdown to Fashion Scout AW14 has officially begun!

By Cass Gowing, Editor @CassGowing

Do you follow Fashion Scout on social media?

Want to stay up to date with all Fashion Scout news? Make sure you follow us on all of our social media platforms. Click on each icon to link direct to our profile. 

By Cass Gowing, Editor @CassGowing 

Photography by Asia Werbel @AsiaWerbel

NEWS| Pam Hogg to launch online shop

Last week Pam Hogg hosted a party to celebrate the launch of her first online store. The legendary designer, whose catwalk shows create a buzz at Fashion Scout season after season, hosted the event at Ace Hotel in Shoreditch. Some of the Pam Hogg pieces which will be available to buy from her online store include her renowned catsuits as well as dresses, t-shirts and leggings. 

Hunger Magazine features the e-commerce launch, "First breaking onto the fashion scene in the early 80s Pam Hogg was known for rejecting the mainstream in favour of her innovative and unique designs... And now Pam has embraced the digital age, with her first online store opening very soon".

Pam's e-commerce site http://www.pamhoggshop.com/ will be launching soon. 

By Cass Gowing, Editor @CassGowing

Images taken of the event from Pam Hogg's website

NEWS| Emma J Shipley wins Emerging Fashion Brand award at WGSN Global Fashion Awards 2013

Congratulations to Fashion Scout designer Emma J Shipley who was awarded with the Avery Dennison Emerging Brand Awards at the WGSN Global Fashion Awards. 

Emma J Shipley, who is known for her intricately detailed luxury scarves, was awarded the esteemed accolade at the fourth annual WGSN awards ceremony last night at the V&A, London. 

Full list of winners: 

Hall of Fame Award

Christopher Bailey, Burberry

Catrice Womenswear Designer

Erdem Moralioğlu, Erdem

Menswear Designer

Oliver Spencer

Accessories & Footwear Designer

Nicholas Kirkwood

Sustainable Design Team

JEANOLOGIA

Sports/Activewear Design Team

Sweaty Betty

Kidswear Design Team

Gap Kids

 Best Store

Tsvetnoy Central Market in Moscow, Russia

E-Store

The Outnet

LYCRA® Future Designers

Lucy Gardner

Womenswear Design Team

& Other Stories

Menswear Design Team

Acne

Preciosa Footwear & Accessories Design Team

Gandys

iSKO Denim Design Team

G-Star RAW

Intimates & Swim Design Team

Seafolly

Best New Store/Refit

Karl Lagerfeld in Paris, France

Best Multi-Channel Retailer

Topshop

Best Buying Team

Net-A-Porter.com

Avery Dennison Emerging Fashion Brand

Emma J Shipley

Congratulations to Emma and all other winners/finalists.

By Cass Gowing, Editor, @CassGowing.

NEWS| SS14 Private Order and Sample Sale Event

Many Fashion Scout designers are participating in a Private Orders and Sample Sale event today from 4pm-9pm at The Trampery in East London. 

The group of designers who have teamed up include Kirsty Ward, Eudon Choi, David Longshaw, Georgia Hardinge and Helen Lawrence. Attending? See you there!

By Cass Gowing, Editor @CassGowing

NEWS| Peter Pilotto takes part in Westfield's 5th Birthday Collaboration

To celebrate Westfield's five birthday, five acclaimed London Fashion Week designers have designed a capsule collection of sweatshirts exclusively for Westfield London. The collaboration sees Louise Gray, Richard Nicoll, Sophia Webster, Thomas Tait and former Fashion Scout star Peter Pilotto create a one-off sweatshirt that fuses each designer's iconic style with 'Westfield London'. 

The limited edition jumpers are £65 each and are on sale from 30th October to 3rd November (or until the sell out - so get one whilst you can!) at Westfield London's Pop-up Shop and all sales proceeds go to Westfield's charity partner Save the Children. 

Fashion Scout alumnus Peter Pilotto and his partner Christopher De Vos were interviewed on the opportunity (see video above): “Sweatshirts are the most versatile of garments and having the opportunity to apply a print to a blank canvas, to create an accessible fashion must-have, was exciting. Designing this product exclusively for Westfield London has been great fun and it is fantastic that all proceeds are going directly to Save the Children" - 

For full information on the birthday collection, visit Westfield's website. 
By Cass Gowing, Editor @CassGowing

ANNOUNCEMENT| Applications Open for Fashion Scout London and Paris AW14

We are thrilled to announce that we have opened our applications for our AW14 London and Paris showcases. 

In addition to applying to  catwalk, presentation and salon shows during LFW or at our PFW showroom, designers can also apply for the Ones to Watch and Merit Award accolades. The Merit Award, which has been won in past seasons by the likes of William Tempest, David Koma, Eudon Choi and Felder Felder is worth £25,000 over three seasons and includes a fully sponsored catwalk show and a £1000 bursary in the first season. There are four slots available for the very best new UK and International designer applicants to show as a part of the Ones To Watch showcase. Ones To Watch plays a major role in the promotion of design innovation, creating a catwalk showcase which is always amongst the must-see shows each season.

Successful designers will be hand-selected by a panel of industry experts including Hilary Alexander and Fashion Scout Director Martyn Roberts, who will judge them on their creativity, quality of work and potential.

Applications are open from today (22nd October 2013) until November 18th. Visit fashion-scout.co.uk for further information or to request an application pack.
 

Make sure you follow us on Twitter, @FashionScout. 

By Cass Gowing, Editor @CassGowing

Images by Asia Werbel and Tram Nguyen

DAY ONE| Fashion Scout Kiev SS14

Fashion Scout have landed in Kiev! It's Day One of the SS14 showcase for Fashion Scout at Mercedes-Benz Kiev Fashion Days. Showcasing today as part of Mercedes-Benz and Fashion Scout Kiev is Katerina Kvit, Nikolay Legenda and A-Z at 5pm and Comme Des Fuck Down at 8pm (GMT+2). In addition, Fashion Scuot Director Martyn Roberts will be running at mentoring session at 5pm. 

Make sure you stay up to date will all events via Twitter, @FashionScout #FashionScoutKiev and Instagram.

NEWS| Phoebe English SS14 film and Dazed Digital interview

Following the stunning garments she presented this season, Phoebe English has captured her SS14 collection, from its concept to completion, through film. Shot by Joe Ridot, the film documents the work process of former Fashion Scout One to Watch and Merit Award Winner, offering a rare glimpse into the designer's hauntingly beautiful and creative world. Having recently showcased her SS14 collection in an intimate setting of coal and neon lights at London Fashion Week, as well as displaying in the Fashion Scout Paris showroom, the film guides us from the earliest sketches right up to her LFW presentation. 

Phoebe shared with Dazed Digital the desolate references that inspired her SS14 collection, view the post here. 

By Josh Walker (@josh_walker_)

ANNOUNCEMENT| Fashion Scout announces LFW and PFW dates for AW14

We are thrilled to announce our dates for our London and Paris AW14 showcases. Our off-schedule showcase will run during London Fashion Week at Freemason's Hall 14th-18th February whilst our Fashion Scout Paris designers will be presenting their collections from February 27-March 4 at our Paris Showroom, 23 Rue du Roi de Sicile, Paris, 75004. 

Fashion Scout designer applications for AW13 will open next week on October 22, more details to follow.

By Cass Gowing, Fashion Scout Editor. 

Photography by Asia Werbel, @AsiaWerbel.

ANNOUNCEMENT| Countdown until Fashion Scout Kiev SS14

Less than five days away, the countdown has officially begun for Fashion Scout Kiev! This is the second time that Fashion Scout has partnered with Mercedes-Benz Kiev Fashion Days in Ukraine and we are thrilled to present the schedule for SS14. 

A selection of designers from Eastern Europe are showcasing as part of Fashion Scout Kiev, which takes place during Mercedes-Benz Kiev Fashion Days, Friday 18th-Sunday 20th October at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Place, Moskovsky Avenue 22. In addition to the catwalk shows and presentations, Fashion Scout Co-Founder and Director Martyn Roberts will be taking part in a range of mentoring sessions and lectures, passing on his experience and guidance to emerging international designers and press. 

Following our international rebrand earlier this year, our partnership with Kiev Fashion Days illustrates our global influence. Kiev is the third city where our designer initiative is present, following from London and Paris.

You can view the entire Mercedes-Benz Fashion Days schedule, including the Fashion Scout shows here. Attending any of the Fashion Scout Kiev shows? Make sure you tweet us @FashionScout with the hashtag #FashionScoutKiev. 

By Cass Gowing, Editor. Follow her on Twitter @CassGowing

NEWS| Success of the David Longshaw for Matches collaboration

There’s something in the air in the world of designer collaborations. Over the next month or so you won’t be able to move on a central London street without the jab of an elbow here and there from people queuing for the next big designer team up. One that has been receiving critical acclaim is between illustrative marvel and designer David Longshaw and luxury retailer Matches Fashion. With British Vogue, Bazaar UK and LOVE Magazine amongst the UK publications that covered the collaboration as well as a vast social media buzz - this collaboration is one of the most talked about this season. 

Launched alongside the most recent London Fashion Week and Longshaw’s own collection, you can follow the adventures of Maude the modern mouse across a silk scarf as she takes on Fashion Week in style. In an exclusive interview with Matches Fashion, Longshaw describes Maude as “a cross between a mouse and a model” and “the most arrogant and egotistical fashion creation.” What’s not to love?

The three window designs for the Matches stores which bring Maude to life in the key pieces from the latest collections are modelled on the infamous Maudezine. Longshaw was named one of our Ones to Watch at Fashion Scout and with good reason; looking at his latest SS14 offering of sky blue and white adorned with print in distinct shapes, Longshaw - and Maude of course - are definitely going places.

Find out more about the partnership on the Matches website

By Olivia Hunter, Fashion Scout Writer. @oliviahunter

Image from Vogue and Bazaar UK.

NEWS| Pam Hogg, Jennifer Morris and Lauren Smith win at Scottish Fashion Awards 2013

We were thrilled to hear that two Fashion Scout designers were awarded with accolades at last night's Scottish Fashion Awards. Jennifer Morris picked up the award for Scottish Young Designer of the Year whilst Pam Hogg was awarded with the Creative Excellence gong. In addition, Graduate Showcase designer Lauren Smith (who won the Graduate Fashion Week Gold award in July) was presented with the Scottish Graduate of the Year achievement. 

Pam Hogg was as zany as ever with her acceptance speech, read the full story on Telegraph Fashion, which reference to her past two shows at Fashion Scout. 

By Cass Gowing, Editor, @CassGowing

Images from Scottish Fashion Awards

NEWS| Scottish Fashion Awards 2013 nominees Pam Hogg, Jennifer Morris and Liz Black

Tonight, the 8^th annual Scottish Fashion Awards takes place in London’s Dover House. Hosted by Fashion Scout front row regular Laura Whitmore a number of high profile names are amongst the shortlist, which includes Christopher Kane, Jonathan Saunders, Louise Gray and Fashion Scout designers Pam Hogg. Liz Black and Jennifer Morris.

Pam Hogg and Liz Black are nominated for the Creative Excellence accolade, whilst Jennifer Morris is up for the Young Designers award.

The event will provide an incredible platform for Scotland’s finest designers, emerging talent, textile manufacturers, and fashion players for the nations most high profile celebration of fashion and style; and the Awards shine a global spotlight on Scottish work and honour those high profile global brands that continue to use Scottish cashmere and textiles within their own collections.

The event is renowned for its string of high profile guests to include celebrities, models, designers, fashion figures and dignitaries; and this years finalists will be judged by a panel of leading fashion professionals, including 2012 Fashion Ambassador award winner Colin McDowell.

Best of luck to all nominees but particularly to our designers (yes we're biased!)

By Cass Gowing, Editor. @CassGowing

Photographs by Tracy Asslanian, from Jennifer Morris' Lookbook and Jamike Latif