The British Fashion Council announced an exciting and diverse line-up for The Exhibition at London Fashion Week. Over two hundred designer labels, from established favourites to new, up-and-coming names, will come together to show their Autumn Winter 2008 collections.
This year, The Exhibition will open on Sunday 10th February 2008 with a champagne reception for press and buyers hosted by newly appointed Chairman of the British Fashion Council, Harold Tillman.
Visitors to The Exhibition will see accessories including jewellery, bag, footwear and millinery designers alongside over 110 ready-to-wear designers.
The Exhibition will play host to uniquely dedicated areas: New Gen which showcases the works of some of the most promising young names in fashion, this season with a new design and feel, will sit alongside New Gen ‘graduates’, such as Berube and Richard Nicoll; and estethica, the British Fashion Council’s acclaimed ethical fashion showcase which is now in its fourth season.
Hot talent will also join The Exhibition under the umbrella Scottish Textiles, launched by Scottish Enterprise to showcase native designers, and Valery Demure, who has selected three new accessory designers to show for the first time at the Exhibition.
In a city which embraces both tradition and innovation, long-time favourite brands such as Antoni and Alison, Steven Jones Millinery, Linda Farrow Vintage, Mawi, Anne Louise Roswald, Karl Donoghue, MadeleinePress, J & M Davidson, Goat, and Sara Berman, will exhibit alongside newcomers Aganovich, Homebody, Black Dot, and Bryce D’Anice Aime, continuing to strike a creative energy through opposing poles of influence that aids London and its designers to thrive and sustain its reputation as the most innovative of the fashion capitals.
‘New Gen’ at The Exhibition, sponsored by Topshop, will showcase the collections of talented designers tipped for success, with the space taking on an exciting new format this season.
Set to emulate a cosy East-end pub, the welcoming New Gen area will exhibit the works of the sponsored recipients amongst a traditional bar, complete with dart-board and pool table, which will be covered in print from one of the designer’s collections.
In the seated area guests will be able to order food and drinks, with a “Happy Hour” set to take place on Wednesday 13th February between 12noon - 2pm for the designers to meet press and buyers.
This year’s New Gen exhibition recipients are: Christopher Kane, Duro Olowu, Erdem, Louise Goldin, Marios Schwab, Hannah Marshall, Poltock & Walsh, David David, Emilio de la Morena, Felder Felder, House of Holland, Krystof Strozyna, Meadham Kirchhoff, Peter Pilotto, Todd Lynn, Nicholas Kirkwood, Anna Vince, Borba Margo, Justin Smith, and Charlotte Olympia.
Fashion East also returns to The Exhibition alongside New Gen with designers Noki, Louise Gray and newcomer David David showing their collections estethica, in association with Monsoon Accessorize, has firmly cemented its reputation for raising awareness and promoting the concept of eco fashion within the industry, showcasing both long-established ‘green’ brands alongside emerging designers who are concerned with sustainability.
The initiative has served to demonstrate that ethical fashion in London is as creative and cutting edge as the mainstream. Co-curated by From Somewhere’s Orsola de Castro and Filippo Ricci and The British Fashion Council, The Ecologist will again publish the estethica guide to February 2008’s exhibitors, which will be distributed at The Exhibition.
Scottish Textiles has been launched by Scottish Enterprise, the initiative aims to highlight the relationships between luxury manufacturing brands based in Scotland that have collaborated with many distinguished fashion labels such as Paul Smith and Stella McCartney.
The scheme is also supporting the following native designers: Aimee McWilliams, Bebaroque, Catheryn Huntly, Deryck Walker, Graeme Armour, Jamie Bruski Tetsill, Joey D, Jo Storie, Norreys, Olanic, Reiko Fujihara, Scott Ramsay Kyle, Sandra Murray and Vidler & Nixon.
Valery Demure has carefully handpicked three specialist accessory designers who will show at The Exhibition for the first time. Established handbag designer Phillippe Roucou will display his colourful creations that come in a multitude of different leathers, shapes and styles alongside the avant-garde headwear of House of Flora, whose unconventional millinery proposes ideas for the head as art.
Miss Bibi is a young artist whose specialism in 3D illustration and miniature installations has translated into diminutive pieces of jewellery. Look out for the killer earrings and the dangerous gun necklace, the theme for this season’s collection is derived from a famous detective game.
Hilary Riva, Chief Executive of the British Fashion Council commented “The Exhibition at London Fashion Week continues to evolve and inspire whilst consistently showcasing the very best in design talent.
Through diverse initiatives such as New Gen, Valery Demure, and Estethica, The Exhibition offers a fantastic working environment and network for the industry to come together and demonstrate to the rest of the world why London remains a creative and exciting place to be.”
The Exhibition offers a spacious press office with a selection of computers and printer facility with WIFI access and comprises a seating area and refreshments. The ground floor features the London Fashion Week Café, The Lavazza Café, and upstairs with the ready-to-wear can be found the New Gen ‘pub’ and Chambord bar where both food drinks will be served.
