4th FAD Junior Awards
Vauxhall Fashion Scout, 17th September 2008

“It was over whelming and emotional to see all my hard work and the support from FAD over the last 9 months, finally come alive on the catwalk. For me to be chosen as a winner - it is such a positive and motivating experience. I just feel so privileged.” - Aysha Simpson, Joint Winner

Most designers can only dream of showcasing their work during London Fashion Week (LFW), but for the 22 teen finalists of the 4th FAD Junior Awards, that dream was made a reality this September, when they saw their designs brought to life on the Vauxhall Fashion Scout catwalk.

01.jpg
Kusheda Mensah's winning design

For the first time FAD worked in partnership with the emerging talent platform, Vauxhall Fashion Scout, and presented the Junior Awards as part of their official off-schedule programme for LFW. This unique partnership gave the young designers an opportunity to showcase their designs at a high profile venue, and to an enthusiastic audience of industry and press including River Island, ASOS.com, Harrods, Selfridges, Disorder Magazine and Time Out.

Working to FAD’s cultural brief, the students looked to ancient Chinese art forms and urban fashion capital, Shanghai, to create a contemporary garment to be worn in the front row of Shanghai Fashion Week. Each student presented their own unique twist on the theme, resulting in an eclectic and sophisticated collection that ranged from tiered floor sweeping dresses and jersey jumpsuits, to colourful appliqués and hand embroidered leather.


03.jpg
From left to right: Joint winner Kusheda Mensah; Joint Winner Aysha Simpson accepting her award from designer, Elspbeth Gibson


02.jpg
From left to right: Joint winner Kusheda Mensah accepting her award; Joint winner Aysha Simpson and volunteer model Daisy Boateng; Aysha Simpson's winning design


The jury, which included Vauxhall Fashion Scout Director John Wolford, were impressed by the diversity of research and sophistication shown by the young designers. The standard was so high in fact, that two lucky finalists were chosen as joint winners of the 4th FAD Junior Award - Kusheda Mensah, 17, from La Retraite RC School in Lambeth and Aysha Simpson, 17, from Raine’s Foundation School, Tower Hamlets.

Aysha combined masculine jodhpurs with a feminine ‘fanned’ hood, to create her striking all-in-one, securing herself a placement with top UK designer and judge, Elspeth Gibson, while Kusheda impressed the jury with her wearable, jersey jumpsuit to win the chance to work backstage at next season’s Vauxhall Fashion Scout.

“This chance means the world to me. I was just thankful that I got to this stage in the competition at all, but to win was truly amazing. FAD have done so much for me and I really appreciate all the doors they have opened.” - Kusheda Mensah, Joint Winner


05.jpg
From left to right: Fashion Forward award winner, Felipe Nascimento; Creative Award winner, Emily McShane; Research Award winner, Grace Wales-Bonner


04.jpg
Research Award winner, Grace Wales-Bonner

06.jpg
From left to right: Fashion Forward award winner, Felipe Nascimento; Creative Award winner, Emily Mcshane; Central Saint Martins Dean of Fashion & Textiles, Anne Smith


Anne Smith, Dean of Fashion at Central Saint Martins, Designer Elspeth Gibson and Martyn Roberts, Director of Vauxhall Fashion Scout, presented the awards to the delighted and emotional winners.

Three special mentions were also made – for creativity, Emily McShane from Our Lady’s School (Hackney); for fashion forward design, Felipe Nascimento from Haverstock Enterprise College (Camden); and for research, Grace Wales Bonner from Graveney School (Wandsworth).


07.jpg
From left to right: Outfit by Nadine Peters, Lewisham College; Outfit by Nadine Peters, Lewisham College; Outfit by Siphiwe-Nokukhkanya Mnguni, Sydenham School


”Bringing my design to life on a catwalk is a prize on its own, but also being awarded for my creativity makes me realise that I’m good at what I love. It’s given me confidence in my ability and drive to achieve my greatest potential, which hopefully will help me in the future". - Emily McShane, Creativity Award

“I felt so proud of myself for winning the Fashion Forward Award, it’s something I never expected in a million years. I never thought I would get to the finals, let alone present my creation in a catwalk show. It’s been 110 percent worth all the hard work and I am so grateful to have had this opportunity.” - Felipe Nascimento, Fashion Forward Award

As a direct result of taking part in the 4th Junior Awards, some of the finalists were offered work placements by industry guests who attended the event including City Fringe, ASOS and River Island.

08.jpg
From left to right: Outfit by Tobi Odubeko, St Angela's & St Bonaventures; Outfit by Samantha Somers, City & Islington; Outfit by Tolani St Anne Juliuson, Newham 6th Form


09.jpg
From left to right: Outfit by April Evelyn-Cooper, Saint Francis Xavier; Outfit by Shaunna Muir, City & Islington; Outfit by Chamairy Wilkinson-Ebanks, Saint Francis Xavier


12.jpg
From left to right: Outfit by Jasmine Lee, Parliament Hill; Outfit by April Evelyn-Cooper, Saint Francis Xavier; Outfit by Emily McShane, Our Lady's; Outfit by Shaunna Muir, City & Islington


10.jpg
From left to right: Outfit by Sobia Yousaf, Newham 6th Form; Outfit by Charlotte Barrett, Lewisham College; Outfit by Terence Ansah-Ayeh, Saint Francis Xavier


11.jpg
From left to right: Beauty Begum, Hackney College; Thanawat Singtosap, Haverstock; Camden borough finalists - Thanawat, Hendry, Felipe & Jasmine


14.jpg
The 22 finalists of the 4th FAD Junior Awards


13.jpg
The 4th Junior Awards reception; Designer and judge Elspbeth Gibson, with FAD Executive Director, Maria Alvarez and finalist Ken Q-Lam

To read all the press from the 4th FAD Junior Awards please visit our Media & Press section.

If you missed the 4th FAD Junior Awards, then you can now watch it live by clicking on the video link below.