The British Fashion Council (BFC) has announced that ten of London's most exciting emerging menswear fashion design talents will receive sponsorship from its designer support initiative NEWGEN MEN sponsored by Topman. All recipients will receive business support, funding and the opportunity to use the official BFC venue to host either a catwalk show or, for the first time, a presentation or an installation during London Fashion Week's (LFW) Menswear Day, on Wednesday 22nd September 2010.
Catwalk (shows will take place in the BFC Show Space): Christopher Shannon James Long JW Anderson
Presentations (presentations will take place in the Portico Rooms): Carolyn Massey Lou Dalton Sibling
Installations (installations will take place in the Navy Boardrooms): Christopher Raeburn James Small Katie Eary Omar Kashoura
Last season saw James Long show a predominantly blue collection incorporating denim, leather and corduroy in biker jackets, trousers and boiler suits. His ability to push the boundaries with new fabrics whilst creating commercially successful pieces helped him gain NEWGEN MEN sponsorship for the third consecutive season. This sponsorship will see him host a standalone catwalk show for the first time in September.
The creative and technically talented trio behind SIBLING have between them worked for Alexander McQueen, Giles Deacon, Lanvin, Jonathan Saunders and Bella Freud. Their signature hand-crafted, bold and progressive knitwear will be shown in a presentation format during LFW. From leopard twin sets to neon mink detailing the witty and humorous label has no boundaries, making it one to watch for SS11.
Following the launch of his eponymous label at London Fashion Week last season, James Small is set to show a digital installation at LFW this season following a debut collection which offered innovative and wearable pieces incorporating contemporary tailoring, denim and outerwear in a polished collection influenced heavily by English heritage.
Previous recipients Carolyn Massey, Christopher Shannon, (both of whom have recently designed capsule collections for Topman) and J.W. Anderson's collections once again impressed the NEWGEN MEN selection committee. The committee is made up of key opinion formers from media and retail. This season the panel included BFC CEO (Joint) and Panel Chair Simon Ward; Anna Orsini, BFC; Gordon Richardson, Topman; Jason Griffiths, Topman; Antony Miles, 10 Magazine; Alister Mackie, Another Magazine; Charlie Porter, Fantastic Man; Jeremy Langmead, Esquire; Lulu Kennedy, Fashion East/MAN; Patrick Grant, Norton & Sons; Robert Johnston, GQ; Terry Betts, Harvey Nichols and Tim Blanks, Style.com.
The number of designers receiving NEWGEN MEN support has risen from four to ten designers this season recognising the growing interest and strength of menswear talent in the UK with the potential to develop international businesses. NEWGEN MEN, sponsored by Topman, was launched in September 2009. Growing from 'MAN', a single show on the LFW schedule, NEWGEN MEN has become instrumental in raising the profile of new British designers offering business support, showcasing opportunities at the dedicated Menswear Day at London Fashion Week.
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