The recipients of New Gen, sponsored by Topshop for a catwalk show are Louise Goldin, Danielle Scutt, MeadhamKirchhoff, House of Holland, Peter Pilotto. The exhibition sponsorships went to Anna Vince, Borba Margo, Cooperative Designs, David David, Emilio de la Morena, Felder•Felder, Hannah Marshall, Matthew Cunnington (known as Untitled), Sandra Backlund and Simone Shailes to name but a few.
The exhibition award will see House of Holland return to the London Fashion Week’s official show schedule for the second time and Peter Pilotto for the first. Accessory designer, Nasir Mazhar, will be benefiting from the New Gen scheme for the first time and will be using his sponsorship to hold an event during London Fashion Week. The BFC established New Gen in 1993. Since that date is has become the most internationally recognised talent identification scheme in the UK. Its alumni includes many great British designers including Alexander McQueen, Matthew Williamson, Julien Macdonald, Boudicca, Sara Berman, Giles Deacon, Jonathan Saunders and more recently Christopher Kane and Marios Schwab.
Topshop is continuing its support of the New Gen scheme for the fourteenth consecutive season. Offering additional support to designers by providing show venues and commissioning special collections, available during London Fashion Week, Topshop directly contribute to the business development of some of the most exciting design talents in London today.
Hilary Riva, Chief Executive of the British Fashion Council commented: “New Gen continues to support the best of London’s emerging design talent. With a track record of helping to establish some of the UK’s most creative and internationally recognised businesses, I have no doubt these new designers will go on to develop successful careers within the industry.” This season the BFC in partnership with UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) has brought a select group of French journalists to the UK for this announcement, kick starting the international profile New Gen will bring to these designers. London Fashion Week will run from Sunday 14th – Friday 19th September 2008. The Exhibition at London Fashion Week will run from Monday 15th – Thursday 18th September 2008 and is located in the grounds of the Natural History Museum, London SW7.
