UNITED KINGDOM: NEW DESIGNERS BASSO AND BROOKE WIN GOLDEN SHEARS PRIZE AT FASHION FRINGE CONTEST

Record ID: 754110

  • Title: UNITED KINGDOM: NEW DESIGNERS BASSO AND BROOKE WIN GOLDEN SHEARS PRIZE AT FASHION FRINGE CONTEST
  • Date: 23rd September 2004
  • Summary: PINK AND YELLOW 60s GEOMETRIC PRINT DRESS WITH WHITE DETAIL FLOOR-LENGTH GREY CHIFFON EVENING GOWN WITH BUNCHED KNOTS AT WAIST AND SHOULDERS PEOPLE WATCHING SHOW RUBECKSEN YAMANAKA'S DESIGNS - BLACK DRESS WITH WHITE STOCKINGS, BLACK WOOL CAP CREAM KNIT DRESS WITH WRITING "WHY NOT" STITCHED ON IT SINHASTANIC'S DESIGNS - WHITE DECONSTRUCTED DRESS WITH GREY JACKET GREY
  • Embargoed: 8th October 2004 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM
  • Country: United Kingdom
  • Topics: Business,Entertainment
  • Reuters ID: LVAAN7AEOSN1UUE49KRZGQZZ4885
  • Story Text: A contest for up-and-coming designers in London puts to rest the notion that British fashion is suffering a brain drain.
    Whomever said the UK fashion industry is suffering a talent drain with the likes of John Galliano, Alexander McQueen and Stella McCartney taking their golden shears and design talents abroad ought to think again after seeing the Fashion Fringe contest in London on Wednesday (September 23), according to the competition's judges and organisers.
    The competition was based loosely on the "Pop Idol" format and like the television reality show aims to find "the next big thing", in this case, in fashion.
    The Sunday Times newspaper launched a contest looking for the next Matthew Williamson or Julien Macdonald. 300 entries were reduced to 10 semi-finalists and then whittled down to four who showed their designs before some of the world's leading fashion editors, writers and buyers in the UK capital.
    First up to showcase his talents was Central St. Martin's graduate David Cooper. With a blaring soundtrack from the dark and mysterious British group Depeche Mode, his designs appeared to reflect the underworld. Swathes of grey and monotone, dark colours highlighted his clothes.
    Next was the self-described peculiarity of Rubecksen Yamanaka.
    Cream-coloured knits dominated Hilde Rubecksen and Tomoko Yamanka designs on everything from headgear to dresses. One cream dress had the writing "Why Not" stitched into the fabric.
    Fiona Sinha and Aleksandar Stanic met and fell in love while studying at college and took their partnership to new levels by designing together under the fashion realm of deconstruction. Their joint obsessions of Chinese and Japanese cinema was reflected in their designs, dark and grey deconstructed garments with draping cloth into fluid feminine shapes.
    But as rich in quality as the talent was at the Fashion Fringe, the winners of the evening were Basso & Brooke. The two provided a high-octane injection of glamour into the competition with big bouffant hair, brightly-coloured makeup and even more technicolor designs.
    The organiser of the competition was impressed by the new batch of British talent and hopes its a reflection of the industry's future.
    "Some of the best fashion houses in the world are kept afloat by English designers and I'm not just saying that because I'm English, I'm saying this because I know, because I'm a fashion person. We have the talent, there's huge talent there all over the country and I'm glad we've started to highlight it," said Colin Mcdowell.
    The winners took home a $180,000 (£100,000) prize and a similar competition will be held in the U.S. with legendary designer Tommy Hilfiger.
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