The Fashion Scout: Hilary Alexander

Showing posts with label Hilary Alexander. Show all posts

Friday, 23 January 2015

AW15 PROVISIONAL CATWALK SCHEDULE REVEALED!

It’s time to get ready for the most exciting Fashion Scout yet, as we reveal our Provisional AW15 Catwalk Schedule.

Fashion Scout will return to our London home at the Freemasons’ Hall in Covent Garden from the 20^th – 24^th of February with a packed schedule of Catwalk shows, exhibitions and events!

Exclusively showcasing the best pioneering talent from across the globe, Fashion Scouts’ AW15 lineup includes more than 50 visionary designers from around the world hand picked by a top industry Selection Panel.

Highlights of the schedule include Friday’s Merit Award winner James Kelly, the RCA Graduate who has already received a flurry of press attention. James Kelly will be sponsored by Fashion Scout to produce his first ever London Fashion Week catwalk show. Already a favourite of Hilary Alexander OBE, Vogue UK Features Editor Jessica Bumpus and Sara Maino, Senior Editor at Vogue Italia – we expect a packed FROW.

Also presenting their debut London Fashion Week collections are designers Angel Chen, J Moon, Kim Stevenson and Minju Kim, who together form Fashion Scout’s highly anticipated Ones to Watch show on Saturday 21^st February.

Amongst those returning to the catwalk are legendary Fashion Designer Pam Hogg, SS15 Ones to Watch designer Youjia Jin, CFE Pioneer Mariana Jungmann, in addition to former Merit Award winners Gyo Yuni KImchoe and Xiao Li.

Also running from the 20^th – 23^rd of February, Fashion Scout will curate an exhibition of exciting emerging talent, including designers from around the world; Clio Peppiat, GF Hawthorne, Niro Wang and Typical Freaks.

The full schedule and designers profiles can be viewed on the Fashion Scout website here.

#FashionScoutAW15

Thursday, 20 November 2014

EXCLUSIVE | Fashion Scout Selection Panel AW15

The AW15/16 Fashion Scout Selection Panel converged on Tuesday 18th November to decide which designers would showcase with Fashion Scout during London and Paris Fashion Week. A collection of Fashions finest, the panel included Vogue Italia's Sara Maino, renowned fashion commentator Hilary Alexander OBE, Judith Tolley from the Centre for Fashion Enterprise, the British Council, former Merit Award winner Georgia Hardinge and Fashion Scout's own director Martyn Roberts.

The panel spent the day time looking through all fifty shortlisted designers before deciding on this seasons Merit Award and One’s to Watch recipients.

The judges where overwhelmed by the level of talent for AW15/16. Commenting on what seems to be a new ‘era’ of designer talent- with a focus on craftsmanship, creativity and colour. Those who are chosen by the judges will have the chance to showcase their collections during Fashion Scout London Fashion Week in catwalk shows, presentations or as part of exhibitions from the 20th - 24th February 2015.

Look out for our new designer announcements soon, including the prestigious Ones to Watch and Merit Award winners.

by Daisy Milward

Images from Fashion Scout Events

Thursday, 10 July 2014

EXCLUSIVE| SS15 Selection Panel

As Fashion Scout London and Paris's September season approaches, a group of leading fashion professionals joined Fashion Scout’s Director Martyn Roberts to decide on the exciting new line up of designers for the upcoming season. As well as selecting those who would showcase on our catwalk, it was decided who would be awarded Fashion Scout’s prestigious Merit Award, as well as our Ones to Watch.

Renowned fashion journalist Hilary Alexander commented that the overall quality of designer's pieces, describing them as “really interesting,” being sure to comment on the “ingenious craftsmanship” of some of the collections on offer. Alongside Hilary Alexander was Judith Tolley from the CFE, stylist Rebekah Roy, Not Just A Label’s Robert Cavell-Clarke and previous Merit Award winner, Phoebe English.

“Really original, you can tell they have really enjoyed making it, really lovely.” Phoebe English.

Since winning the coveted Merit Award, Phoebe English works closely with CFE London and has grown her business into a staple name in the fashion industry. Next week, English will be flying to New York with her latest collection for an exciting new launch event in Dover Street Market's new US branch.

The event was covered live on our social media platforms with quotes and photos during the selection process for which the winners will be announced shortly.

Alongside the selection of designers applying for Fashion Scout September, the panel also viewed a collection of the best fashion design graduates work from this year. From these collections, the panel then curated a collective of the 10 best UK fashion grads. 10 graduates who will comprise to create the Graduate Showcase, which will be shown at our Freemason's Hall venue in Covent Garden for the fourth year this season.

Fashion Scout London will take place from 12th - 16th September 2014.

Images by Hannah Farrell

Writer: Lauren Slater + Lauren West

Tuesday, 26 November 2013

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

Saturday, 14 September 2013

INTERVIEW| Hilary Alexander before Swedish School of Textiles

On her way to the Swedish School of Textiles show, we spoke to selection panel member and renowned journalist Hilary Alexander.

What is it that draws you to the shows that Fashion Scout puts forward?

The designers are young. They are emerging. Here you see clothes that aren’t shown on any other catwalks and cannot be seen anywhere else. Fashion Scout is the beginning for designers.

What are you hoping for or expecting from Swedish School of Textiles?

I honestly have no idea. I’m just awaiting the show with curiosity, who knows what it will bring?

You can see exactly what Hilary thought of the show as she tweeted live from the Fashion Scout twitter account. Go to @FashionScout.

Emily Black, Writing Contributor, @emilyy_black

Tuesday, 4 June 2013

NEWS| Angus Chiang from Shih Chien Taiwan wins International Show

Taiwanese graduate Angus Chiang was yesterday announced as the winner of the inaugural International Show. His futuristic colour popping pom pom designs caught the eye of the esteemed panel of judges - headed by Vogue Italia's Sara Maino and the audience alike.

Chiang, a graduate from Shih Chien Taiwan, will showcase his collection at Fashion Scout London during London Fashion Week. He has also won £1000 for himself, £500 for his university.

By Editor Cass Gowing, Follow her on Twitter @CassGowing
Photographs by Tram Nguyen, Follow her on Twitter @TramNguyenP

NEWS| International Show at Graduate Fashion Week

Yesterday saw the first ever International Show take place at Graduate Fashion Week. Held at Earls Court, the International Show saw 20 graduate designers from the following schools take the stage.

Academy of Art, San Francisco

BUNKA (Japan)

Shenkar (Israel)

Shih Chien (Taiwan)

FIT (Italy)

Istituto Marangoni Milan

IED (Institito Europeo di Design - Italy)

Accademia di Costume e Moda (Italy)

IUVA (Italy)

Kolding (Denmark)

Istituto Marangoni Paris

ESMOD Berlin

ESMOD Oslo

Parsons New York

Pakistan Institute of Fashion Design (Pakistan)

Mimar Sinan Fine Arts (Turkey)

An eclectic mix of cultures and styles were showcased through a series of accomplished and astounding designs - the very best of graduate collections globally.

Aside from the showcase itself, the International Show was also being judged by an esteemed panel including Hilary Alexander (read her article for The Telegraph on the show here), blogger Susie Bubble, Royal College of Art's Professor Wendy Dagworthy and chaired by Vogue Italia's Sara Maino. After deliberation, the winner, Angus Chiang from Shih Chien Taiwan was announced. See full post of the winner here.

By Editor Cass Gowing, Follow her on Twitter @CassGowing

Photographs by Tram Nguyen, Follow her on Twitter @TramNguyenP.

Wednesday, 13 February 2013

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.