British Fashion Council launches New York Sales Pitch for Young Designers

(Telegraph)

By Hilary Alexander

The British Fashion Council is launching a major initiative in America to push the sale of emerging designer talent writes Hilary Alexander.

Left to right: Mary Kantrantzou, Meadham Kirchhoff, Peter Pilotto

The British Fashion Council is launching a major initiative in America to push the sales and profiles of emerging designer talents.

Later this month, the BFC, in partnership with the Centre for Fashion Enterprise, will open a three-day showroom, at the Soho Grand, in New York, for 21 of London ’s brightest young designers.

Called the London Show Rooms, the venture is an extension of the project the BFC has established in Paris during the prêt-à-porter season. The New York showroom, which will run from March 23rd-25th, is a partially-subsidised space for designers to show their collections with the support of top US editors, department store fashion directors, and boutique owners.

The roll-call of British-based talent includes Peter Pilotto, Todd Lynn, Mary Katrantzou, Mark Fast, Meadham Kirchhoff, Louise Gray, Holly Fulton, Heikki Salonen, Hannah Marshall, Craig Lawrence,Christopher Raeburn, Atalanta Weller and Eun Jeong.

Caroline Rush, the BFC’s joint-chief executive officer, said: “Following on from four successful seasons in Paris, we are confident it will give our young designers the means to further their global business profile.”

Wendy Malem, director of the Centre for Fashion Enterprise, said the event was “a signal to buyers, the finance community and manufacturers that these designers are respected, well supported and mean business.”

The BFC’s Ambassador for Emerging Talent, Sarah Mower, and chair of the NewGen selection committee, will host an opening breakfast to welcome press and buyers.

 http://www.telegraph.co.uk/fashion/fashionnews/7474233/British-Fashion-Council-launches-New-York-Sales-Pitch-for-Young-Designers.html