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Dorchester Collection Fashion Prize 2012: Grand Final

October 17, 2012 by cheriecity

Last night, the grand final of the Dorchester Collection Fashion Prize 2012 took place at Hôtel Plaza Athénée on the stylish Avenue Montaigne, Paris. The judging panel named design duo Augustin Teboul the winner of the prestigious prize, from the five shortlisted designers.

Annelie Augustin and Odély Teboul received an engraved Baccarat crystal trophy and will now use the €30,000 fund to take their brand to the next level. They will also have the opportunity to stay at a Dorchester Collection property in either Milan or Paris during Fashion Week 2013.

The evening included a catwalk show where the designers presented key pieces from their collections to a select audience of judges, international guests and media. Augustin Teboul were then toasted with Laurent Perrier Champagne at a drinks reception in the hotel’s beautiful inner courtyard, Le Cour Jardin.

View the designs of winners Augustin Teboul and the talented shortlisted designers….

Augustin Teboul

Quentin Veron

IRM Design

Calla

Les Garçons Paris

For more information, visit: www.dorchestercollection.com

All photos: Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images for The Dorchester Collection Fashion Prize

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Dorchester Collection Fashion Prize 2012 Designer Cocktails

September 19, 2012 by cheriecity

Celebrating the short list of the Dorchester Collection Fashion Prize 2012, each of the five designers have created their own limited edition cocktail.

The designers collaborated with the bar directors and managers to create a cocktail that reflects the spirit and style of their brand. I was invited to 45 Park Lane for a cocktail tasting evening with delicious canapes from Wolfgang Puck’s CUT, served in the cosy, relaxing guest lounge.

My favourite cocktail was Black Southside, created by flamboyant fur designer Quentin Veron and the bar team at Le Richemond in Geneva. It’s a dark and mysterious blend of Plymouth gin, fresh lime, freshly-made blackberry juice, cherry syrup, mint and Agnostura Bitters, served in a large martini glass with a sugar and cracked black pepper rim. The elegant, intoxicating cocktail is designed to take you back to the prohibition era speakeasy clubs in America – the inspiration behind Veron’s collection.

Another deliciously dark cocktail is Nuit Noire by Les Garcons, a collaboration with William Oliveri at Le Meurice, Paris. The cocktail includes Eristoff Black vodka, blackberry liqueur blackberry coulis and lime juice, served in a long glass with a sprig of mint and a frozen sugar-coated blackberry. It’s so thick, rich and fruity that it tastes like a decadent alcoholic smoothie.

A lighter, refreshing cocktail is design duo Augustin Teboul’s Black Velvet, concocted by Stefano Cossio at 45 Park Lane. This tequila-based cocktail includes blackberries, thyme honey, crème de cassis and lime juice, served in a glass tumbler with an oversized block of ice.

The cocktail to get the party started is Calla’s wonderfully-named Milanese Calla-pirinha, created by Daniele Confalonieri of Hotel Principe di Savoia. The zesty, uplifting cocktail is a potent blend of Cachaça Velha, lime juice, orange, sugar cane and saffron, served with a cinnamon stick in a short glass.

The IRM Cocktail is IRM Design’s molecular trio of tastes, created by Thierry Hernandez at Hôtel Plaza Athénée, Paris. The glasses include three shots of rum, sake and vodka and are presented on a clinical silver tray with three pipettes containing iris (I), rose (R) and mint (M) essences. During my visit, the hand-made essences were en route from Paris, so we didn’t have the chance to try the IRM Cocktail, however, it appears to be a real treat for the senses.

The limited editition cocktails are available throughout the fashion season in Europe, until 3 October. The winner of the Dorchester Collection Fashion Prize 2012 will be announced at Hôtel Plaza Athénée, Paris, on 16 October.

For more information, visit: www.dorchestercollection.com

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Dorchester Collection Fashion Prize 2012 Designer Shortlist

August 21, 2012 by cheriecity

The Dorchester Collection Fashion Prize 2012 shortlisted designers have been handpicked by the esteemed judging panel and will now compete for the prestigious prize. The diverse selection of promising designers span womenswear, menswear, fur, demi-couture, ready-to-wear, accessories and lingerie.

The shortlisted designers will showcase their collections on 16 October in a catwalk show at Hôtel Plaza Athénée in front of the judges and audience of fashion influences and press. The final winner will be awarded a prize of €30,000 plus a stay during spring Fashion Week 2013 at a Dorchester Collection property in either Paris or Milan.

With the high quality of shortlisted designers and increasing commercial success of previous winners Anndra Neen (2011) and Thomas Tait (2010), The Dorchester Fashion Prize 2012 is sure to bring forward fashion’s next big name.

Read more about the shortlisted designers…

Calla is the Toronto-born Calla Haynes, who has been living in Paris for the last 8 years. After graduating from Parsons School of Design in New York and Paris, Calla worked with Olivier Theyskens at Rochas and Nina Ricci, where she developed her talent for prints. Calla’s vision of ‘relaxed luxury’ is reflected in her Autumn/Winter 12-13 collection of soft tailoring, statement coats, playful dresses and printed trouser suits. Fans of Erdem, Cacharel, Kenzo and Sandro will adore Calla.

Quentin Veron is the enfant terrible of fur, creating statement pieces that are modern, imaginative and edgy. Quentin moved from his native Clermont-Ferrand to Paris in 2005 and spent a short time in the studio of Thierry Mugler before gaining his diploma from the prestigious Studio Bercot. Then it was off to LA to assist Jeremy Scott and work as a stylist for various fashion magazines, incorporating Quentin’s love of fur. His eponymous brand was formed in 2008 and is dedicated to fur.

Quentin’s Autumn/Winter 12-13 collection, The Middle Ages, looks to the medieval silhouette and armour with contrasting materials such as long goat hair, chain mail, fox fur, leather and iron.

Augustin Teboul is design duo Annelie Augustin and Odély Taboul, who met while studying at ESMOD Paris, graduating in 2006. Annelie then worked for Yohji Yamamoto for Adidas and Odély for Jean Paul Gaultier. In 2009, they founded Augustin Teboul – a shared vision of dark, post-romantic elegance, positioned between ready-to-wear and haute couture. The Autumn/Winter 12-13 collection features elegantly draped suits, sculptural knitwear, veiled head pieces, leather trousers and intricately embellished silk dresses.

Les Garcons Paris captured the attention of the fashion panel with their crisp, minimal re-interpretation of classics. Behind Les Garcons Paris is design duo Louis Gerin and Gregory Lamaud, who met at ESMOD Lyon. Ignoring menswear trends, Louis and Gregory have carved their own niche with beautifully-made ready-to-wear and basics in the finest fabrics and luxury underwear using fine jersey and Calais lace.

IRM Design is the womenswear label by design duo Marion Lalanne and Pierre Alexis Hermet, who met at ESMOD Lyon. Their bold, striking womenswear designs are typically vivid and architectural, with seductive sheer panels and painterly prints inspired by the works of Pollock, Klein, Rothko and Mondrian. In particular, their innovative clutch bags offer new ways of enveloping the hand and are made from unusual materials.

Meanwhile, back in London…

During London Fashion Week, Teatum Jones will showcase their Autumn/Winter 12-13 collection in a catwalk show at The Dorchester’s elegant Promenade, accompanied by a fashion afternoon tea and special Odyssey cocktail created by bar manager Giuliano Morandin. Included in the booking is a goody bag and a Liberty credit for £30 when you spend £150 or more.

Also launching at Liberty on the same day is a limited edition printed silk scarf by Teatum Jones named ‘The Dorchester’, inspired by the luxury hotel (priced at £245).

Afternoon tea sittings for the Teatum Jones Fashion Tea at The Promenade on The Dorchester on Tuesday 18 September take place at 2.15pm and at 4.45pm, and are priced at £52 per adult including an Odyssey cocktail. Prices are inclusive of VAT and exclusive of service charge at 12.5%. For reservations or further information, please telephone The Dorchester on +44 (0)20 7629 8888 or email restaurants.TDL@dorchestercollection.com.

For more information, visit: www.dorchestercollection.com