This London Fashion Week, we supplied steamers for quite a few venues, but I’m going to concentrate on this one event that happened on Saturday 16th February 2013 at the incredible swish Me Hotel, London. The Woolmark Prize.
So this event happens every year and to be honest, the Woolmark International Prize is a pretty big deal. It’s gone on since 1936. The event highlights young talent from all over the world and puts them under spotlight.
In 1954, they brought the world’s attention to two pretty unknown womenswear designers, Karl Lagerfeld and Yves Saint Laurent. Karl (21 at the time) and Yves (just 18 years old) were the winner of the coat category and dress design respectively, judged by a panel which included Hubert de Givenchy and Pierre Balmain. That’s about as big as it gets I guess.
Check out this awesome picture, Karl on the left and Yves two to the right. Pretty damn cool.
So back to 2013 and the panel of judges couldn’t be more exciting. Check this out:
- Diane Von Furstenberg – Co-Chairman and Founder, Diane von Furstenberg Studio LP
- Donatella Versace – Creative Director and Vice President of Gianni Versace S.p.A.
- Franca Sozzani – Editor-in-Chief of Vogue Italia, L’Uomo Vogue Italia and Vogue.it. Editorial Director of Condé Nast Italia. “Goodwill Ambassador for Fashion 4 Development” for the UN
- Tim Blanks – Editor-at-Large Style.com
- Victoria Beckham
- Andrew Keith – President of JOYCE and Lane Crawford
- Carla Sozzani – Owner 10 Corso Como
- Paula Reed – Group Fashion Director Harvey Nichols
Ridiculous.
The designers that took part were:
- Dion Lee – Australia
- Ban Xiao Xue – China
- Christian Wijnants – Europe (Belgium)
- Pankaj and Nidhi – India
- DRESSEDUNDRESSED – Japan
- Sophie Theallet – USA
The event was super tight on security and I couldn’t get a seat unfortunately, but I was there backstage during the preparations. As usual, it was hectic. No room for errors. Cue Fridja Professional Garment Steamers, F-1400s. One for each designer.
Oh and Donatella Versace insisted on having one for herself, obvs.
The place looked like this before the show.
Of course, the event was amazing. Vicky B looked buff as ever.
The winner was Christian Wijnants of Belguim.
“Christian invented a new shape and made it possible with an industrial production process,” explained Franca Sozzani, Editor-in-chief of Vogue Italia and L’Uomo Vogue. “His designs are flattering, feminine and sexy, a modern interpretation of wool.”
Congrats Christian, watch that space. Many thanks to Blonstein Events for working with us on this. We’re pretty proud to be part of actual fashion history.
Photo credits: Blonstein, Marie-Claire, Vogue, Popsugar - many thanks.
