Bright Young Things

‘Bright Young Things’ is a celebration of emerging talent from all areas of the industry spanning design, photography, styling, modelling, hair styling and make-up artistry. The creative team for this exciting project consisted of a combination of students and graduates who were discovered at the show last year via the Clothes Show Live Creative Awards programme. As well as some of this country’s next generation of industry creatives, including members of the Clothes Show Live Alumni from previous years.

The shoot was fronted by 16-year-old Imogen Parker, 16, from Sheffield who was scouted at the show last December by Select Model Management. Imogen is the latest name to join an impressive list of models discovered at Clothes Show Live, including Oliver Cheshire, Rosie Tapner, and Erin O'Connor. Commenting on her experience of being scouted at the show Imogen said:

‘I went to Clothes Show Live on a school trip and I couldn’t believe it when I was picked. It didn’t seem real but my friends encouraged me to go for it and I am so glad I have.

I’d never thought about being a model before and this is the first shoot I have done so it has been an absolutely amazing experience. I definitely want to continue modelling after this.’

Also taking part in this year’s shoot were; designer Curtis Li, a final year fashion design student from Coventry University, who scooped Clothes Show Live’s Designer of the Year accolade in September; fashion photographer Catherine Windeatt who won last year’s Young Fashion Photographer of the Year; 19-year-old hairdresser Tazmyn Dambrauskas , winner of The Hair Awards up-and-coming talent accolade, Talent Scout; London College of Fashion graduate make-up artist Pace Chen; stylist Zainab Vandu-Chikolo, winner of Sky Living series ‘Styled to Rock’ and professional fashion photographer Claire Pepper, who scooped the Clothes Show Live Young Fashion Photographer of the Year Award in 2008.

Zainab, who styled the shoot has previously worked with Clothes Show favourite, Henry Holland, and has dressed the likes of Rihanna! For the Bright Young Things shoot, Zainab used pieces designed by students from the London College of Fashion as well as the winning design from last year’s Clothes Show Live Designer of the Year, Curtis Li.

Curtis commented:

‘This is the first time any of my designs have ever been used in a professional photo shoot so it has been great to see it all come together.


‘Winning Clothes Show Live Designer of the Year last year was a great achievement as means I have been recognised by others in the industry. Also being able to say I have won the award should definitely help boost my CV and career.’

Students and emerging designers are invited to submit their designs based on the carefully targeted briefs written with course criteria from leading examining bodies in mind. From the hundreds of entries received for each award the submissions are shortlisted by a panel of industry experts, including representatives from Clothes Show Live and fashion industry commentator, Caryn Franklin.

The shortlisted finalists are then invited to Clothes Show Live in December, to see their designs showcased on the catwalk. Winners go on to receive amazing prizes including work placements, cash prizes, trophies and their work published online and in partnering magazine titles as well as being given the opportunity to participate in future Clothes Show Live shoots and events.

Lottie Richman, was scouted at the Clothes Show Live in 2011 and by Selected Model Management, and chosen from hundreds of girls to win coveted title of the ‘Face Of’ Clothes Show Live 2012. As part of Lottie’s prize she fronted the Bright Young Things campaign that was styled and photographed by other Clothes Show Live Award winners from 2011:

• Charlotte Wood, 19, Young Designer of the Year
• Emma Spencer, 18, Young Fashion Photographer of the Year
• Leah Walton, 24, Young Hairdresser of the Year
   

The clothes featured in the campaign were sourced from Graduate Fashion Week 2012 by designers James Whitehouse, Sophie McKeating, Bethany Twigg, Sophie Piper and Eve Jones. One design was also made exclusively for the shoot by Clothes Show Live Young Designer of the Year 2011 Charlotte Wood.

Clothes Show Lives’ ‘Bright Young Things’ is a tribute to young, British talent and to the next generation of the UK fashion industry.

If you think you could be in the next generation of Bright Young Things then make sure you take a look at our Creative Awards Prgramme .