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Designers, Fashion, Hotels, Hotels - Luxury

Dorchester Collection Fashion Prize 2013 Designer Shortlist

July 23, 2013 by cheriecity

The Dorchester Collection Fashion Prize has quickly become the competition to watch for the next big thing in fashion, and this year’s designer shortlist is stronger than ever.

The international judging panel, including UK judges Stephen Jones, Rupert Sanderson, Caroline Issa, Stephen Webster and Daniella Helayel, selected the very best entrants from across ready-to-wear, couture and accessories. The designers to reach the final of the prestigious fashion prize are Barbara Casasola, Fydor Golan, Emilia Wickstead and Huishan Zhang.

The Dorchester Collection Fashion Prize nurtures designers whose brands have been established for at least two years but need support to take it to the next level. All shortlisted designers have already received industry and public acclaim and have been stocked at luxury designer stores such as Browns, Harvey Nichols, Moda Operandi and Joyce.

Like previous winners Thomas Tait, Anndra Neen and Augustin Teboul, the winning designer will receive £25,000 to invest in their brand, a two-night stay at a Dorchester Collection Hotel and for the first time, the prospect of one-to-one mentoring from a selection of the judges.

The grand final will be on 29th October at The Dorchester in London, where the shortlisted designers will stage a catwalk presentation.

It looks like the judges will have a tough evening, trying to choose between these brilliant and diverse designers. Perhaps a few of The Dorchester’s fashion cupcakes and macarons will help them reach a decision…

Which of the shortlisted designers is your favourite? Who do you think deserves to scoop the fashion prize?

For more information, visit: www.dorchestercollection.com

Accessories, Afternoon tea, Designers, Fashion, Hotels, London, London Fashion Week, News, Paris, Shopping

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

Designers, Fashion, Hotels, Hotels - Luxury, London

Dorchester Collection Fashion Prize 2012

April 9, 2012 by cheriecity

Dorchester Collection launched the 2012 Fashion Prize at Hôtel Plaza Athénée during Paris Fashion Week and entries are now open.

Following two successful contests, the Dorchester Collection Fashion Prize is becoming known as the ‘one to watch’ for the most promisingly emerging fashion designers.

Anndra Neen, the luxury jewellery line by sisters Phoebe and Annette Stephens, won the 2011 Fashion Prize and have taken their brand to the next level with the support and buzz created by the prestigious competition.

Winner of the inaugural 2010 Fashion Prize, Thomas Tait has since been heralded by US Vogue, collaborated with Asos on its young designer initiative Asos Inc and shown his collections at London Fashion Week as part of BFC NEWGEN.

The Dorchester Collection has always been synonymous with style and helping the hotel find the best of the best is a judging panel made up of fashion luminaries and industry insiders. Former judges have included Manolo Blahnik, Giles Deacon, Daphne Guinness, Stephen Jones, Francisco Costa, Giovanna Battaglia, Derek Blasberg and Lauren Santo Domingo.

The 2012 Dorchester Collection Fashion Prize will offer a €30,000 reward to an exceptional designer of ready-to-wear or premium accessories, selected by a panel of expert judges.

Each year, the Fashion Prize is hosted by a different Dorchester Collection hotel, beginning with The Dorchester in London and followed last year by The Beverly Hills Hotel. This year’s host, Hôtel Plaza Athénée has an unrivaled fashion heritage, with an enviable address on the Avenue Montaigne and being known as the ‘second home’ of Christian Dior. But who will be the judges? Can we expect Carine Roitfeld, Sonia Rykiel or Emmanuelle Alt to make an appearance?

Application details are available for download at www.dorchestercollection.com and registration will be open until 31 May 2012.

Entrants must be based in France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg or Switzerland and have operated their brand for a minimum of two years.