Fashion designers vie for top event

Wednesday 9th May 2012

Young designers are to show their clothing creations at an event which could land them a spot at London Fashion Week.

Up to 120 designers aged between 16 and 19-years-old will show their work to charity Fashion Awareness Direct (Fad) after taking part in one of its projects.

Judges will then chose 25 of the underprivileged designers, who are from inner city London and Manchester, to join them at the prestigious London Fashion Week in September.

Work from all the designers will go on show at the Fashion And Textiles Museum, in London, on May 21 before the finalists are selected on the night.

Fad's Fashion Futures programme, which is sponsored by Asda clothing brand George, consists of a series of industry workshops and nurtures young talent by offering training opportunities, professional careers advice and platforms that encourage creative ability.

Teenagers are mentored by professional tutors and volunteers and undertake the complete design process of a garment from generating research, fashion illustrations and technical drawings, to creating paper patterns and calico toiles from scratch.

Randa Alvarez, 16, from Maria Fidelis School, in Camden, said: "Thanks to Fad I have actually been able to get connections, and start building opportunities for my future."

Fiona Lamber, George brand director, said: "Fashion Awareness Direct is a fantastic way to help young people break into the fashion industry.

"At George we are passionate about nurturing the next generation of fashion talent and Fad enables us to do exactly that by giving those with less fortunate backgrounds the opportunity to learn invaluable fashion skills, receive professional coaching and provide a platform to showcase their hard work and ability."

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