Some of Scotland's most promising new designers are set to showcase their work in Edinburgh on Friday as part of a new talent competition promoting Scottish fashion.
Scotland Re:Designed's New Talent competition is aimed at emerging talent and looks to offera platform for up and coming designers in Scotland to gain recognition for their new labels within the wider fashion industry.
Last year's winner, Obscure Couture, have set Scottish fashion alight with cutting edge collections, gained a celebrity following and have been nominated at the Scottish Fashion Awards.
With a resurgence in Scottish fashion, a trend for traditional textiles and big names like Christopher Kane and Jonathan Saunders, it's never been a better time for young Scottish designers.
This year's finalists are Naromode, Mairi McDonald, Catriona Macallister, Claire Corstorphine and Jacob Birge, all competing to be featured in an exclusive online boutique for the Perry Nevill site - a retail platform for emerging designers.
They will be featured in an Assembly Rooms runway show alongside the designers from Fashion Foundry - the talent hub for fashion and textile designers, funded by Creative Scotland and Scottish Enterprise.
Naramode are a fashion duo who specialise in printed textiles, Catriona Macallister is a womenswear designer using inspiration from the lights of Elgin Cathedral in her spring/summer 2013 collection, Claire Corstorphine is a luxury silk accessories designer based in Cellardyke, Edinburgh designer Jacob Birge does futuristic, high-tech designs, while Mairi McDonald creates luxury womenswear witha rebellious edge.
HeraldScotland blogger Mairi, who will be showcasing her 'Electric Eclectic' collection, which "tells the story of the girl with the band," said: "I'm excited to be shortlisted for Scotland Re:Designed's 'New Talent' competition. I have recently launched my luxury womenswear label and to be recognised for the work I am doing is such a lovely compliment.
"I will be showcasing two looks from my debut collection. I think platforms such as Scotland Re:Designed are hugely beneficial in terms of exposure as a new designer and provides new labels with amazing support whilst creating opportunities for networking and sales which is key."
The competition forms a part of Scotland Re:Designed's wider programme of events in the capital, showcasing the collections of 12 selected designers to exhibitors, buyers and the press. What better way for a designer than to get the chance to showcase their works to buyers from Harvey Nichols, Liberty, Harrods and Jane Davidson, and to attend workshops with industry insiders including the Scottish Textiles and Leather Association and the Victoria and Albert Museum.
These selected twelve exhibitors, whittled down from sixty applicants, include Jennifer Morris, Rebecca Torres, Bebaroque, Rosie Sugden, William Chambers and Common People.
Previous Scotland Re:Designed events have been hosted in New York and Chicago, and offer support to designers, giving them an introduction to the buyers in the industry, which in the past has included Saks and Macy's, and invaluable experience when it comes to showcasing their designs.
Founder and director Chris Hunt said:"I launched SR:D to offer the best of the design industry in Scotland a chance to showcase it's work on a commercial, credible and artistic international level. As a platform it highlights contemporary designs that reflect both the heritage and legacy of innovation in Scotland."
The Scotland Re:Designed showcase also features a series of events in Edinburgh including installations, showcases, pop-up shops and Q & A workshops to give a profile to emerging and established talents in the Scottish fashion and textiles industry.
The 2013 SR:D showcase takes place in Edinburgh from Thursday 7th to Monday 11th November. Visit scotlandredesigned.com to find out more.
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