NEWS| Kate Nash's Tour Wardrobe Open Call

In anticipation of her upcoming South and North American tour, Kate Nash is holding an open call wardrobe day for designers and PRs. Meeting everyone in person on the day, Nash will be editing her potential tour wear on the spot. 

The wardrobe day will take place on the 1st of May from 1pm to 3pm at the Fashion Monitor and Entertainment News headquarters:

Centaur Media, Wells Point, 79 Wells Street, London, W1T 3QN.

A regular at both New York and London Fashion Weeks, Nash is a platinum-selling singer songwriter and has worked with a number of emerging designers on her world tours. "Fashion is a key element to my onstage performances," she says. "Everything I wear on stage has to communicate to the audience and function as performance-wear. Fashion is art as much as a piece of music is art."

To RSVP, email: dresskatenash@forwardpr.com

Follow the Twitter hashtag: #DressKateNash

NEWS| Former OTW winner Hellen van Rees announced as The Humanity in Fashion Award finalist.

Fashion Scout designer and former Ones to Watch winner, Hellen van Rees has been announced as a finalist for The Humanity in Fashion Award. 

Hellen, who has showcased her SS13 and AW13 collections with Fashion Scout London and Paris ,has been named alongside two other designers as a finalist for this prestigious award which recognizes creative fashion design through sustainability and eco-friendly clothing. The winner will be announced following a final catwalk presentation (of Hellen's A/W13 collection - which you can view here) during Berlin Fashion Week on July 3rd. 

Congratulations Hellen - we wish you the best of luck for the upcoming awards!

By Cass Gowing, Fashion Scout Editor @CassGowing

Photographs by Kris Elliott and Asia Werbel

ANNOUNCEMENT| Fashion Scout ʻThe International Showcase for Fashion Innovationʼ Opens Applications for SS14

We are pleased to announce that Fashion Scout officially opens its applications for London & Paris Fashion Week on Wednesday 17th April.

Our global expansion last season as the internationally recognised talent launch pad has meant that we have revamped the Ones To Watch platform. This acclaimed and internationally recognised initiative is now offering extended support which allows designers to take part as OTW for more than one season.

Ones To Watch alumnus to date include Eudon Choi, Kirsty Ward, Phoebe English, Dean Quinn, Hermione de Paula, David Longshaw, & Anne Sofie Madsen.

“I am thrilled to announce that the applications for Ones to Watch are open for announce season. The revamped Ones To Watch provides an exciting global platform for new designers that enables them to grow over a number of seasons and showcase their talents to the world. We are delighted to be able to build on our past success and be able to offer designers more. Our revamped OTW platform is inkeeping with the growth of Fashion Scout as a global launch pad of design talent.” Martyn Roberts, Co-Founder and Director – Fashion Scout.

In addition, Womenswear designers can also apply for Fashion Scoutʼs coveted Merit Award (worth £25,000 over three seasons, the Merit Awards includes a fully sponsored catwalk show and a £1000 bursary in the first season which specifically propells the very best in new design talent into the industry).

Applicants can also apply for catwalk, presentation and salon shows, and alongside accessory designers, can apply for both the London Exhibition and the Fashion Scout Paris Showroom.

Applications will be open from Wednesday 17th April and will close on Wednesday 8th May at 12pm.

Please send applications to show@fsi-events.com

NEWS| Media Partners Fashion Monitor announce Journalism Awards Shortlist

Our media partners Fashion Monitor have announced their Fashion Monitor Journalism Awards shortlist for 2013. 

Fashion Monitor, the industry's leading contact and news database, have launched their annual awards as an impartial platform to celebrate individuals who have shown outstanding contribution to British media in 2012.

The judging panel sees Fashion Scout Director and Co-Founder Martyn Roberts and Fashion  Scout Selection Panelist and renowned journalist Hilary Alexander judge the categories alongside over thirty esteemed industry professionals. 

Congratulations to all those shortlisted, we can't wait until the awards ceremony itself on Tuesday 2nd July. 

By Cass Gowing, Editor, @CassGowing

For more information visit the FMJA website: http://www.fashionmonitorjournalismawards.com

NEWS| Sample Sale Review

Tuesday night saw a collection of ten Fashion Scout current and alumni designers come together for a successful sample sale evening at Beach Blanket Babylon Shoreditch. Between 6-10pm buyers and the general public were able to get their hands on fantastically priced samples and pre-order pieces from the A/W 13/14 collections. 

We had a quick catch up with one of the designers Ming-Pin Tien on how the night went:

How did the sample sale go? Who did you meet at the sample sale?

It went really well! There was a Chinese girl who purchased one of my AW12 pieces and it turned out she is running a PR company based in Hong Kong. We discussed the possibility of working together in the near future and it will be amazing if that happens.

Is there a piece from your collection, which you noticed was the most popular at the sale?

I had a neoprene top with metal studs implanted from my A/W12 collection and it just dragged people’s attention!

The busy evening also saw the display of the latest collections by Eudon Choi, Patick li, Kirsty Ward, Danielle Foster, Alice Lee, David Longshaw, Shao Yen, Eleanor Amoroso, Claudia Ligari, Jennifer Morris and Manuela Dack. With pieces ranging from jewellery and accessories to garments there was something for everyone in the lovely light space at Beach Blanket Babylon. 

Images and text by Lauren Slater

NEWS| SHOWstudio's 'Sonomorphic Mirror' fashion film feat. Iris van Herpen

'Sonomorphic Mirror', the completed fashion film from Fashion Scout alumni Iris van Herpen's collaboration with SHOWstudio's Nick Knight and Daphne Guinness has been published.
Artist Geoffrey Lillemon and sound artist Salvador Breed have transformed Knight's footage of the 'Splash' project  - the seven day live streamed initiative which saw van Herpen create a one of a kind shifting dress which was inspired by Guinness being splashed with black and clear water - into a mesmerising short fashion film. 
Edited footage of the live stream will shortly be available on SHOWstudio's here.  
By Cass Gowing, Editor @CassGowing Images and Video from SHOWstudio

NEWS| Iris Van Herpen collaborates with Daphne Guinness and Nick Knight for SHOWstudio

As far as cutting edge fashion technology goes; this week sees a most innovative; and heavily experimental collaboration between Fashion Scout alumni, Iris Van Herpen, Daphne Guinness and Nick Knight for SHOWstudio.

The product of this mergence of talent comes in the shape of the ‘Crystallization’ dress; conceptualized by both Iris and Nick. The creative process is documented on camera, during a week-long live broadcast, in which the live stream captures Daphne being splashed with black and clear water using high speed camera technology, so to create technological footage, from which Iris will take inspiration for her one-of-a-kind water dress.

The broadcast showcases Iris’s love of futuristic technologies, intangible technologies and illusive concepts, which combined with archaic crafts, create shape-shifting creations, which defy all forms of logic. Knight is set to shoot Daphne in the completed dress, which will be viewable to the public at the SHOWcabinet from June.

After seven days of work, the team unveiled the finish piece live this morning at 11am. For more information visit SHOWstudio's website. 

Post by Brooke McCord, @BrookeMcCord 

Photos by Bart Oomes and Roland Didier, via SHOWstudio

NEWS| Ksenia Schnaider Bodywarmer A/W13 collection.

We're delighted to present Ksenia Schnaider's AW13 collection, Bodywarmer. Inspired by the quilted cotton winter garment of the Soviet Union, Schnaider has injected style into the functionality of the warmer through her dark colour palette and use of leather, velvet and silk.

Presenting her SS13 collection with Fashion Scout in February, the designer exhibited alongside eight other Ukrainian designers as a part of our Kiev Fashion Days. Founded in 2011, the Ksenia Schnaider brand aesthetic is an innovative one that not only edges on the avant-garde, but strives to give space and freedom for the wearer to express their personal beliefs. 

By Josh Walker (@josh_walker_)

Images from kseniaschnaider.com

NEWS| Georgia Hardinge for River Island Design Forum

Former Fashion Scout Merit Award Winner Georgia Hardinge's partnership with high street retailer River Island as part of their River Island Design Forum has gone live. The Spring / Summer 2013 demonstrates Hardinge's well known architectural designs through a monochrome palette. Already receiving rave reviews since launching yesterday, Georgia's collection is being presented through an installation in the window displays of River Island stores nationwide. 

By Editor Cass Gowing
Follow her on Twitter @CassGowing

NEWS| AW13 Private Orders and Sample Sale

Ten Fashion Scout designers are holding a AW13 private order evening and sample sale on the 9th April. Running from 6-10pm at Beach Blanket Babylon, you'll be able to purchase A/W13 pieces and samples from the following designers:

Eudon Choi

Patrick Li

Kirsty Ward

Danielle Foster

Alice Lee

David Longshaw

Shao Yen

Eleanor Amoroso

Claudia Ligari

Ming Pin Tien

Jennifer Morris

Manuela Dack

FASHION SCOUT KIEV| Lera Leshchova

Womenswear designer Lera Leshchova showcased her AW13 collection as a part of Fashion Scout Kiev on 24th March. One of the youngest and most popular Ukrainian designers, you can certainly see she's one who knows what she's doing. In a presentation that seemed to evoke an essence of the underwater, feminine dresses of various lengths walked the catwalk in a collection of clean, functional pieces. With a focus to detail, innovative draping, the textured embellishments and introduction of graphic cuts only served in giving a notable edge to the designer's work.

Born with a dream to become a couturier, Leshchova hit the ground running, mastering the fundamentals of dress-making from a notably young age. Having already won a number of competitions and awards in her native country, the designer's talent shone through here with a tailored collection of timeless wearability.

By Josh Walker (@josh_walker_)

Images by Natalia Ilina

FASHION SCOUT KIEV| Anna Kolomoets

Kiev Fashion Days designer Anna Kolomoets, who showcased her designs at Fashion Scout London FEB'13 began her designing career at the age of 15 and presented her A/W13 collection as part of Fashion Scout Kiev last week. 

The collection takes a look at definitive shapes spinning them with a mix of metallic inserts and relaxed pieces that are quietly complex. Statement pieces stand out with beautiful and intricately designed cut outs that show the designer’s stunning attention to detail. Anna Kolomoets’ youthful energy is reflected in the collection’s innovative reinvention of separates and classic shapes.

By Cass Gowing, Editor
Images by Natalia Ilina

FASHION SCOUT KIEV| Yana Chaplygina

This Sunday saw the showcase of the AW13 Yana Chaplygina Collection on the Fashion Scout Catwalk in Kiev; and with Yana being a renowned master of juxtapositioned fabrics, heavy print and contrasting fabric compositions in her previous work, this collection was by no means an exception. 

Using a colour palette centered on black, contrasted by autumnal red, orange and yellow hues; the collection takes inspiration from the element of fire in both print and pigment. The pieces demonstrated combine masculine outerwear, softened by feminine bralets and cropped hemlines; and heavily printed blazer and short duos, alongside leather and print bomber jacket and skirt combinations. The fabrics used comprised of leather, fur, silk and sheer organza. Accessories were presented in the form of masculine worker boots, chunky stone like necklaces; and the occasional fur clutch bag.

By Brooke McCord @BrookeMcCord

Images by Natalia Ilina

FASHION SCOUT KIEV| TVORTZ

As part of Mercedes-Benz Kiev Fashion Days, TVORTZ showcased their latest work in the Fashion Scout Kiev Exhibition. Born in 2010, the young brand approaches fashion with experimentation and accentuation in mind. Having graduated with a degree in Interior Design, Dasha Gluhova is the creative force behind the brand in which her mastery of space and structure are clearly apparent. Using a cold, monochromatic colour palette, the TVORTZ aesthetic is one of texture and attention to detail that fuses femininity with ergonomics in the production of garments that evoke intelligence and hint romanticism.

By Joshua Walker @Josh_Walker_

NEWS| Myrza de Muynck featured on Style.com

Myrza de Muynck Autumn/ Winter '13 images via Style.com

Think back to February of last year, and as distant as it seems, the 'One to Watch' picks for Autumn/Winter have proved there's truth to that claim with the successes following their inaugural showcase. 

The most recent to be featured online is Dutch-born Myrza de Muynck, whose subversion of classic silhouettes, and conventional qualities of the 1980's ubiquitous shell-suit has earnt her a steady-following of revered professionals.

Adding to coverage from the BBC, Because magazine, and several posts by Susie Bubble, a conceptual short supporting de Muynck's Autumn/Winter '13 collection now features as part Style.com's Video Fashion Week.

Watch the film here, and find our exclusive interview with behind-the-scenes images here.

ANNOUNCEMENT| Fashion Scout Kiev Begins

Following our announcement this week of Fashion Scout's expansion to Kiev with Mercedes-Benz Kiev Fashion Days, we are ecstatic to greet day one! Fashion Scout are showcasing a selection of designers from Eastern Europe at the event which runs from today (March 21) until Sunday 24th March  at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Place, Moskovsky Avenue 22. 

Showcasing as part of the Fashion Scout Catwalk:

Lera Leschovajann Kolomoets

Yana Chaplygina and Yulia Efmtchuk

Showcasing with Fashion Scout Kiev's Exhibition:

Bevza/Litovskaya

Valery Kovalska

RCR Khomenko

Yasya Minochkina

Domanoff

Ksenia Schnaider

Zinaida Lihacheva

Dash

Vova Vorotniov

Idle Idol

Roman Lazar

Borovik

Tvortz

Daniil Kovachev

Dzhus

Maria Proskurovskaya

Cyan

Pure Shop

Also running Fashion Scout Louis Franck Party at Bibique Bar and a lecture as well as mentoring programme by Director and Co-Founder Martyn Roberts. 

View the full schedule here on Mercedes-Benz Kiev Fashion Day's website. 

By Cass Gowing, Editor. 

ANNOUNCEMENT: Fashion Scout Kiev

We are thrilled to announce our continuing partnership with Mercedes-Benz Kiev Fashion Days has continued and expanded into a Fashion Scout Kiev platform.

Following our partnership with Kiev Fashion Days during our Fashion Scout London FEB'13 showcase, we will now be adding a showcase in Kiev to our international design showcases.

Over the past 14 seasons, Fashion Scout have scouted and presented in London and Paris a whole generation of creative, international talent including  designers David Koma, Peter Pilotto, Felder Felder, Pam Hogg and Eudon Choi. Since our rebrand at the beginning of this year, we have enforced our global audience and international outreach through continuing to present worldwide talent- something that has now expanded further with Fashion Scout Kiev.

We caught up with Fashion Scout Director and Co-Founder Martyn Roberts on the news: "I am thrilled with the further expansion of Fashion Scout and the continued partnership with Kiev Fashion Days through Fashion Scout Kiev. 

Through exhibiting key emerging Ukranian talent at our Fashion Scout London platform, we provided them with the global audience and recognition they deserve. This continued partnership enforces Fashion Scout's global expansion as the key platform for creative talent worldwide and I am proud to add Kiev to our Fashion Scout enterprise."

For more information please visit our website. 

By Cass Gowing, Editor.