The Fashion Awareness Direct (FAD)
Fashion Futures Final 2014 saw 23 teenage talents showcase the
designs that impressed an esteemed jury, including Louise Ibak
(designer at George at Asda), Maria Alvarez (founder and CEO at FAD)
and Martyn Roberts (founder and director at Fashion Scout), amongst
others. The charity supports young designers from all walks of life,
helping them to get internships and experience in the fashion
industry. This culminates in an annual Fashion Futures awards
ceremony, sponsored by George, bringing finalists to Fashion Scout
each season.
Presented by Annaliese Dayes, a Next
Top Model herself, the packed Vestibule of family, friends and
industry members took their positions to watch the six themed
collections.
First up, a tough, urban collection; Renée John
Baptiste an all black menswear look, with emphasis on shape and
dropped or cropped silhouettes. Andrea Loaiza Giraldo’s blue
skirted coat with feminine seaming was made modern with black
puffa-style sleeves, while Renée Mutsunge’s floral embellishment
added detail to an otherwise simple monochrome dress, with flashes of
blue and white zip. Toni Elysse Wright finished the collection with a
column-esque white shirt dress, with Perspex band around the bust and
lime green mesh ruffle around the hips.
Daniela Silva Velasquez opened the
following African inspired collection with a black halterneck gown
complete with primary coloured bustier. Tim McDonagh’s grey printed
menswear shorts and strong-shouldered blazer combination looked
pleasantly retro, while Gabriela Guana’s simple blue sundress with
white zig-zag stitching looks perfect in any era. Ellie Boothman’s
grey shift dress featured printed panels of 90s style tessellated
triangles at the waist and hem.
Holly Coutts opened an athletically
regal collection with her sporty tennis dress, realised in red with
exposed black zip and metallic mesh skirt. The following gold
embellished top, featuring a squiggle pattern by Henrietta Dent, was
paired with a brown midi skirt, and followed by Zhané Anjum
completion of the collection; a red velvet menswear cape and white
shirt with gold embroidery, pearl embellishment and chain shoulder
detailing.
Things took a darker turn with
Charlotte Dillon’s Victoriana structured patchwork grey and black
evening gown with lace back, followed by Hayat Chehab full skirted
lace dress with graphic leather modest panelling. A striking bustier
by Chenai Jack stood away from the body, finished with a peach lace
asymmetric skirt. Yinka Williams’ silver cross-front cape looked
modern paired with the deeper shade of steel underneath, and Emily
Bass’s shell embroidery on a drop-waist black tulle skirt was
unexpected for a long sleeved shirt dress.
Seada Merkulaj bought mermaid
ethereality to the next collection, with a navy blue gown and white
heart-shaped lace overlay. An aqua and brown waterfall front utility
jacket by Kayla Miles surprised when light caught the laser-cut
leather panels. Niove Louca’s elegant mermaid skirted dress in
neutral lace was made alluring when its backless design was revealed,
while Elleanor Goodall’s grey 20s inspired tennis dress with box
pleats was accented in lemon yellow.
Finally, Bella Dunne’s Perspex
raincoat with black fur trim looked 60s futuristic when paired with a
pastel playsuit, the raincoat dotted with the same brushstroke print.
The blue, pink and orange cape dress that followed featured subtle
animal prints by Tilly Tambini Cooper was a highlight for presenter
Annaliese. Shalon Siqueira completed the show with a menswear coat,
pink and purple in hue in sporty materials.
Following the show, jury members
Alvarez, Carol Robb (freelance designer) and Dorota Watson (Head of
Fashion at University of East London) announced the recipients of
this year’s awards for Embellishment (Harriet Dent), Colour (Tilly
Cooper) and Innovation (Shalom Siqueira). The overall winner of the
Fashion Futures Award 2014, announced by Louise Ibak, was Andrea
Loaiza Giraldo for her creative and commercial design.
With some serious talent on show, the
jury had a tough decision on their hands. This year’s FAD finalists
proved just how valuable FAD is for getting a tough break in the
fashion industry, and we hope to see some of these young talents as
Fashion Scout designers in their own right in the future.
Photographs by Elizabeth Hodsin.