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

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.

INDUSTRY SELECTS| Martyn Roberts, Hilary Alexander, Jessica Bumpus and Eudon Choi

Ahead of the eagerly anticipated Fashion Scout London A/W13 showcase, we exclusively caught up with Fashion Scout Director Martyn Roberts, Vogue.com's Jessica Bumpus, esteemed journalist and Graduate Fashion Week trustee Hilary Alexander and Fashion Scout alumni Eudon Choi to find out their selection of Fashion Scout designers this season and what they think designers need to do in order to gain global recognition within the industry. Tweet us your thoughts of this exclusive insight @FashionScout. 

Martyn Roberts, director and founder of Fashion Scout:

Out of the showcasing designers for Fashion Scout February '13, who are you hotly tipping for global recognition? 

Merit Award winner Yifang Wan and Ji Cheng have both been getting lots of publicity in China.  I'm also looking forward to our two international showcases - Runway Collective from Istanbul and Kiev Fashion Days

What is your advice for designers in regards to international recognition?

They need to think big and ensure that their vision is global.  The models and styling they use need to appeal to different markets.  Its an exciting time for designers who want to conqueror the world

What shows are you looking forward to the most this season?

 I love Pam Hogg's shows - they're always so crazy and have a fantastic celebrity audience


Jessica Bumpus, Fashion Features Editor at Vogue.com and Fashion Scout Selection Panel member:

What Fashion Scout shows are you most looking forward to this season?

I'm looking forward to seeing what all of the designers have in store but I think I'm especially looking forward to Patrick Li from the Ones To Watch and Yifang Wan, the Merit Award-winner.

In your experience, what qualities do designers need to in order to gain international appeal?

Well international appeal is quite a large and expansive term and you have to think globally and about your markets - and each is different. So I would say designers need to be flexible about their vision and realise that it has to be just as commercially viable and covetable as it is creative. What works for one market doesn't for another. Think big, be pragmatic and open to suggestion

Hilary Alexander, former Fashion Director of the Telegraph, Graduate Fashion Week trustee and Fashion Scout Selection Panel Member:

One of my favourites to watch from Fashion Scout, is Stephanie Kitchen, from Bath Spa who will be showing as part of the FAD show on Tuesday.

Fashion Scout alumni and former Merit Award winner Eudon Choi:

Out of the showcasing designers for Fashion Scout February '13, who are you hotly tipping for global recognition and what shows are you most looking forward to? 
Heo Hwan (Heohwan Simulation) for his immaculate tailoring and precision. Again, I have to say Heo Hwan as he is a dear friend and very talented.

In your opinion, what qualities do designers need to have in order to have international appeal? 

I think that if you are true to your vision and work hard then sooner or later you will succeed. 

By Editor, Cass Gowing

Images by Natalia Ilina, Asia Werbel and Industry London.

NEWS| Eugene Lin and David Longshaw on Vogue's FW Previews

Fashion Scout's Eugene Lin and David Longshaw have both made an appearance on Vogue's Fashion Week Previews.

Eugene Lin, a Central Saint Martins graduate, talks of his A/W13 collection 'Cupid De Locke' as a sequel to his S/S13 collection 'The Judgement of Paris'. "The collection is a modern interpretation and contrasts between the involuntary violence and fragility of love," the designer says. "It is darker, slicker and sharper".

Former One to Watch winner and fellow CSM graduate David Longshaw introduces his A/W13 collection 'Painting Over Harry' with a narrative and in doing so, mentions the "glamorous days of black and white films," and "the Seventies wedding of Princess Anne".

With the countdown to the Fashion Scout London schedule well under way, we eagerly anticipate seeing what both designers have to offer.

By Josh Walker (@josh_walker_)

Images from Vogue.com

EXCLUSIVE| Inbar Spector Interview

Hi Inbar, thanks for taking the time to talk to Vauxhall Fashion Scout. 

We saw a head-to-toe Autumn/Winter look on Nicole Scherzinger last Saturday evening- how does it feel to know your work was being exposed that night to an audience of over 8.6 million people?

It was a great feeling. I didn't know that it was going to be on TV, so I completely forgot about it and planned a relaxed Saturday night in bed... Out of the blue Twitter went mad with friends telling me about it. It was such a nice surprise!

Your work is often seen on female stars with a strength of character and voice- Paloma Faith, known for her strong voice, and individuality; Nicole Scherzinger, thought of as a powerful, and independent woman; and Florench Welch, whose stage presence is unrivalled- how does it make you feel to see such a diverse group of women wear your clothes, despite their differing styles?

I think you described it very well. The commonality between these artists ladies is that all of them are beautiful and strong; they all have their individual style, and each of them decide themselves what they want to wear- the stylists recommend but the stars are making the decision. A woman doesn't need to be masculine to be strong, she can still be beautiful, sexy, and strong all at the same time. 

What is it about your work that you think attracts these strong, beautiful women? Do you feel proud as a designer knowing these women choose to wear your pieces for occasions when it's important to feel good, strong, and comfortable in their own skin?

It's always nice to listen to an artist in the studio, and to know that in few months from now she might preform in the outfit you're making her.

I think that if you don't feel good in your own skin, you won't like my style. My style is for very confident women; brave [and not] scared to look different. My costumers are usually the women who set the trends, not the ones who follow them.

How do feel having had the opportunity to showcase Autumn/ Winter with VFS- do you think it's contributed to these women's awareness of your pieces?

I believe that London and the international fashion industry is very aware with what is going at VFS. After shows people often tell me how much they love the venue, and how it complemented the atmosphere of the show.

The VFS team is very professional and the venue is beautiful. All the editors and stylists want to find new emerging talent, and everybody knows that VFS finds the talent. I think VFS is one of those few places you can spot [the] new talents that are forcing a change.

Interview by Sara McAlpine
Images from Vogue, Inbar Spector and VFS

PRESS| Sabina Bryntesson joins Vauxhall Fashion Scout and attracts the attention from British Vogue

The penultimate show of Vauxhall Fashion Scout was from Sabina Bryntesson, a CSM graduate who was tipped at one of the top 5 MA grads this year. The show attracted a lot of attention after Jessica Bumpus, Fashion Features Editor at Vogue.com, identified her as a designer to watch out for when Vauxhall Fashion Scout interviewed her for the Browns Blog in August this year. Jessica came to Vauxhall Fashion Scout to see the show today and seemed to be very impressed by Sabina's most recent work.

The designer told Vogue about the SS'13 collection, describing how she is “interested in how people dress depending on what religious beliefs they have and how important colour is for the imagery in these groups and the impact of strictness and conformity”. Jessica was right to anticipate Sabina's success, the collection was slick, intelligent and refined.

Text by Katie Agar (@katie_agar)

NEWS| Vogue feature Vauxhall Fashion Scout's One's To Watch Designers & Merit Award Winner, Heohwan Simulation

Charlotte Simpson

Hellen Van Rees

Ming Pin Tien

Heohwan Simulation

Vogue are world renown for their aptitude in finding the most talented and exciting designers to hit the runway, and this season is no different. Fashion Features Editor Jessica Bumpus has selected her favourite 'picks' from London Fashion Week, and amongst the vibrant crowd are our very own One's to Watch designers- Charlotte Simpson, Hellen Van Rees and Ming Pin Tien, and prestigious Merit Award Winner, Heohwan Simulation. 

The selection of designers, who have been hand-picked by the Vauxhall Fashion Scout team and a Selection Panel of esteemed Fashion Industry members, are just one of the highlights of the Vauxhall Fashion Scout schedule, with our One's To Watch show taking place at 11am on Saturday 15th September, and the Merit Award show at 3.45pm on Friday 14th September. 

To celebrate this fantastic new talent, Vauxhall Fashion Scout teamed up with Fashion156 to create our seasonal Preview shoot, giving you an exclusive insight into some of the most highly anticipated collections of London Fashion Week. Guy Hipwell, Director of Fashion156, styled and directed the shoot along with his talented team from the online creative magazine- Fashion156.com. 

Image Credits: 

PHOTOGRAPHY: INDIA HOBSON AT FASHION156CREATIVE.COM
STYLING & CREATIVE DIRECTION: GUY HIPWELL AT FASHION156CREATIVE.COM
MAKE-UP:  JO SUGAR USING BODY SHOP
HAIR STYLIST: TIM FURSSEDONN AT TONI&GUY USING LABEL M
MAKE-UP ARTIST ASSISTANT CAT LANGDON
MODELS:  ANNA S & LOU LOU AT PROFILE.  EMILY D A AT STORM
SHOOT PRODUCTION: FASHION156CREATIVE.COM
ASSISTANTS: Becca Deakins, Lisa Fifer, Lauren Whitehead & Mei Corbett
SHOT AT: ROCKWELL STUDIOS www.rockwellhouse.co.uk

NEWS| Merit Award winner Heohwan Simulation in British Vogue

Newly announced Merit Award winner Heohwan Simulation has been featured in the latest edition of British Vogue. In September's Big Fashion Issue, Heohwan Simulation's talents have been scouted for 'The New Chic' piece by Harriet Quick.

Described as one of the 'new talents to watch', Harriet praises 'clever, neat urban wear' and features his wool and leather coat from his AW12 collection. 

"He might well be hitting our collective desire with a boxy, leather-panelled cashmere coat that took numerous toiles to perfect".

Hwan Heo, who was selected as a Vauxhall Fashion Scout's Ones to Watch designer last season and has been presented with the inaugural Merit Award for SS13, will have to get use to such favourable press in the run up to the next fashion week. 

Read more about our latest Merit Award winner and catch up on an exclusive interview with the designer. 

By Cass Gowing, Vauxhall Fashion Scout Editor

Images from British Vogue