Christopher Kane's SS09 show
The British Fashion Council today announced that designers Christopher Kane, Erdem and Marios Schwab will receive British Fashion Council Fashion Forward sponsorship for the second consecutive season.
The award, partly supported by the London Development Agency, consists of a substantial cash prize, to be used towards producing an on-schedule catwalk show at London Fashion Week, and access to business support specifically targeted at developing a growing designer fashion business.
In 2006, Christopher Kane launched his own label with his sister Tammy (collaborator and business partner) and has gone on to build his label into a major player in the high-fashion world. On receiving the sponsorship, Christopher said "I am delighted to have been awarded Fashion Forward sponsorship by the British Fashion Council at what will be my sixth catwalk show at London Fashion Week... It has provided invaluable assistance in terms of growing and raising the profile of the Christopher Kane label and establishing contacts within the industry and press, both national and international." Erdem was launched in 2005 by Erdem Moralioglu and has since won plaudits for its signature look fusing sharp, forward tailoring with romanticism and bold graphic custom-designed silk prints.
Erdem said "We are thrilled about winning Fashion Forward sponsorship! Showing in London is paramount to us as a brand, the sponsorship will not only allow us to show but also to grow as a company."
Marios Schwab has been credited with leading the body-conscious fashion movement with his figure hugging feminine dresses since his label launched in 2005. Marios commented "I am very excited about winning this award and am looking forward to the next collection. This award, to me, means recognition - both in a business sense as well as a creative one."
London Fashion Week begins on Friday 20th February. The catwalk shows take place from Friday 20th to Tuesday 24th and the exhibition runs Saturday 21st to Tuesday 24th.