From Times Online
April 11, 2005

Calling all budding fashion designers

If you think you have the talent and panache to cut a dash in the world of fashion design, now is your chance to find out

Fashion Fringe 2005, the competition to find the best new British designers, is hitting the road, visiting six cities across the UK and Ireland where potential designers of the future can receive valuable first hand advice from established names such as Julien MacDonald, Christopher Bailey or Roland Mouret.

These world-renowned designers will discuss what it takes to be successful in the industry, what inspires them and how their creative designs translate to internationally acclaimed collections, while keeping their unique British personality.

The Fashion Fringe tour, hosted by the leading fashion store, Harvey Nichols, will take place in London, Manchester, Birmingham, Leeds, Edinburgh and Dublin.

Interested applicants will also have the chance to hear from last year’s Fashion Fringe winners Basso & Brooke, whose success has soared since winning the competition in September 2004. Their debut collection is now stocked in leading department stores including Harvey Nichols, Selfridges and Harrods and they have a manufacturing deal with AEFFE, the luxury goods group that produces and distributes for world-class design labels Alberta Ferretti, Moschino and Jean-Paul Gaultier.

Design flair is only part of what it takes to become a successful designer, so the tour will also offer aspiring British designers and interested applicants essential advice on running a viable business, which plays a major part in any designer’s staying power.

Harvey Nichols’ buying director Averyl Oates will share her thoughts on fashion commercialism, offering essential tips on transforming creative designs into a label that will sell in leading fashion stores. In addition, Fashion Fringe creative director Colin McDowell will summarise his vision of what it takes to be the Fashion Fringe winner and how this exciting initiative is helping to re-energise British fashion.

FASHION FRINGE TOUR DATES, VENUES & DESIGNERS

London, 12 April, Harvey Nichols, Roland Mouret
Manchester, 20 April, Harvey Nichol, Christopher Bailey
Leeds, 22 April, Harvey Nichols, Christopher Bailey
Edinburgh, 26 April, Harvey Nichols, Julien MacDonald
Dublin, 27 April, 50 North Great George’s Street, Dublin 1, Jen Kelly
Birmingham, 3 May, Harvey Nichols, Julien MacDonald

Applications and full details of the tour are available online here