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. 

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#FashionScoutAW15

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

FRONT ROW| Sara Maino at Ones to Watch

Italian Vogue’s Senior Editor Sara Maino works with some of the most talented designers in the world, but enjoys the interesting and challenging designs from younger talents from a wide range of backgrounds and traditions.

Fashion Scout: What do you think about Fashion Scout as a platform for young designers?

Sara Maino: When I am asked this question, I always answer in the same way; it’s very important that platforms like Fashion Scout exist to support new designers, as I do think that this is the beginning of the designers doing such fantastic work. It’s always very challenging and interesting to come and see so many different designers from different countries, traditions and mentalities.

FS: Do you think young designers get enough support?

SM: I do always think that we can do it much better, but I do think that, especially in London, they do really get a lot of support. It is interesting to see how it has changed in the past few years. I mean, in the beginning there were two or three important platforms through which talent was sustained, but now in the industry it’s kind of an interest to the new generation, so this is already a big success. I do think this must just go on, and we should be supportive in many ways.

FS: What shows are you seeing with Fashion Scout this season?

SM; I just saw Jamie Wei Huang before, which was really interesting. I also think the Ones To Watch are really challenging. I’m going to see the Portuguese designers this afternoon, and then unfortunately have to go home tomorrow so I won’t get a chance to see all of them! But it’s always nice to see the pictures afterwards.

FS: Have you been to the Exhibition?

SM: Yes I have, I do think that the graduate fashion designers, some of which I had already seen in London’s Graduate Fashion Week, I do think they’re very, very talented. A few are very interesting and ones to keep an eye on.

FS: It’s only a week into fashion month, but have you seen any key trends emerging?

SM: It’s a little too soon to say, but seeing what I saw here today, there’s a lot of colour, which is always positive, and it’s always interesting to see things going in the direction of easy wear, rather than fashion that is too complicated.

By Isabella Silvers, Contributor, (@izzymks).

Photo by Elizabeth Hodson.

NEWS| Graduate Fashion Week International Catwalk Competition Opens

We have partnered with Graduate Fashion Week and Vogue Italia Talents to present the International Catwalk Competition during Graduate Fashion Week 2014. 

The world’s leading fashion universities are invited to enter their top graduate’s collection. Each of the selected universities can enter just one graduate collection into the competition. The judging panel is headed by Sara Maino, Senior Fashion Editor from Vogue Italia and includes other industry experts including Prof. Wendy Dagworthy (RCA).

The prize for the winning collection is £1,000 for the graduate and £500 for the university plus the collection will be exhibited on our catwalk at Freemasons Hall during London Fashion Week in September 2014.

This year, Graduate Fashion Week will be held at the Truman Brewery, in the creative hub of London. The world's largest showcase of graduate fashion talent, it will feature 42 universities and 20 catwalk shows and has launched the careers of those among the likes of Stella McCartney and Christopher Bailey. 

The Catwalk Show and Judging will take place at GFW on Tuesday 3rd June 2014.

For full details and to confirm your interest, please email competition@gfw.org.uk for further details.

By Josh Walker, Editor, (@josh_walker_).

INTERVIEW| Sara Maino, Senior Editor Vogue Italia

We caught up with Vogue Italia's Senior Editor Sara Maino on the front row ahead of Xiao Li’s Merit Award show,

What are you looking forward to seeing from Xiao Li today?

I’m really looking forward to seeing the new collection, the first collection was amazing and I’m hoping to see an evolution from that.

What do you think of Fashion Scout as a platform for emerging design talent?

It is a really important platform, its fundamental for discovering new talent.

Have you seen any other shows today?

 Yes, I have seen Ming Hu, I didn't know of her and I really enjoyed her show, it was really interesting in terms of material and shape.

By Charlotte Muscat (@CharlotteLM9)

Photography by Jamike Latif (@JamikeLatif) taken on the fashion forward LumixGM (@PanasonicUK)

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.

INTERVIEW| Sara Maino, Vogue Italia

Following the success of Merit Award Winner, Yifang Wan, Fashion Scout were fortunate enough to speak to Sara Maino, Senior Fashion Editor at Vogue Italia:  

"I think that she has really interesting silhouette cuts and overcoats; it’s interesting how she uses the metal pieces as elements in the clothes.  At the beginning of a designer’s career there is always a turning-process to be done, but I think she is someone to watch out for in the next season as she develops.     

I think Fashion Scout is always an interesting place to come; there are some designers who I saw last season, who are developing their collection in a positive and prosperous way.  Fashion Scout is becoming more international, but this is a consequence of what is happening in fashion.  In London there are many emerging, interesting designers; basically, London is an international city where many international people are living.  It’s not just a matter of being English, to be a London-based designer." 

Interview by Abigail Gurney-Read, @AbbyGurneyRead
Images by Daniella Farrow, @danifarrow

INTERVIEW| Sara Maino, Senior Fashion Editor of Vogue Italia

Vauxhall Fashion Scout spoke to the Senior Fashion Editor of Vogue Italia, Sara Maino, as she was browsing through the designers featured in our Exhibition Space:

“I never think it’s very nice to say who our favourite designers are here, but Vauxhall Fashion Scout offers an opportunity for research into new talented designers.  I think this is the most important thing.  It’s nice because you can see a really high quality of work mixed with the origins of the designers; sometimes you can really see the influence of their traditions and heritage.  There are a few designers who are really talented, and others who are just beginning and have to still go through some experiences.  I think it’s really interesting because you have a complete visualisation of what is happening with designers who are only just leaving school.  It’s always really amazing to come here and look at what is happening.

Usually I always make contact with all of the designers, because even if someone doesn’t seem so interesting now, they might do next season.  So I try to keep in touch with all of the designers throughout the year.” 

Interviewed by Abigail Gurney-Read
Photographs by Rebecca Andrews