A ‘Fash Factor’ search has been launched to the find London’s future fashion stars.
Wannabe designers queued for hours on Shaftesbury Avenue for the chance to make
a one minute pitch in front of a panel of judges that included industry experts Jonathan
Saunders and Henry Holland.
The hopefuls were allowed to present one outfit, one pair of shoes and one accessory
which they could either display by wearing themselves or by dressing a model.
The talent search was organised by Grazia, which is offering the winners a photographic
spread in the magazine.
Jane Bruton, Editor of Grazia, said: ‘The response was phenomenal. We had over 100
designers through the doors of Grazia HQ. The first person in the queue had arrived at
6am from Wales. Another had caught an overnight ferry from Dublin.
‘And the level of work was incredible – from a hat designer who made her creations in her
front room to new graduates from Central St Martins who wanted to get their designs seen
by established industry figures.’
Among was Nikita Karizma, 23, who dressed her model in a beige, leather bondage
costume.
She said: ‘[It] was themed fashion versus abuse. My dream is to become the next Marc
Jacobs and I think if I win today then I could be on my way. I’m originally from London and
there is no doubt in my mind that London leads the way in the fashion stakes.’
Jake Wiseman, 23, a Central St Martins graduate, dressed his model Rachel Williams in a
striking full-length orange skirt.
He said: ‘I’ve been designing for five years and have just graduated. When I heard about
the chance of getting a spread in Grazia I jumped at the chance. This orange skirt is
actually trousers inspired by what women wear for a tribal dance in Soweto.’
The winner will be revealed in next week’s edition of Grazia.
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