In efforts to support young designers through what has been a substantially difficult year, MATCHESFASHION recently announced the upcoming launch of The Innovators Programme. Scheduled to launch in September the project was created with the objective of championing young talent , and will include 12 menswear & womenswear designers from across the world to participate in mentorship projects, as well as partnerships with preferential business terms and marketing. 

“I am delighted that we have formalised our support for emerging talent, developing The Innovators into a programme that actually helps futureproof their businesses in what has been a tough year for the creative industry. I have work with many of these designer for a long time and I am so happy that we are committing to their visionary collections in a practical , material way,” explained MATCHESFASHION Buying Director Natalie Kingham

The names included in the program are Art School, Ahluwalia, Chopova Lowena, Stefan Cooke, Germanier, Halpern, Harris Reed, Charles Jeffrey LOVERBOY, Thebe Magugu,  Ludovic de Saint Sernin, Bianca Saunders & Wales Bonner, who all worked closely with the MATCHESFASHION team during the pandemic after the need for practical support and ongoing commitment was expressed. 

“Emerging talent has always been at the heart of our business but often these businesses exist outside of traditional production cycles and need additional help and support to grow. This programme solidifies what we have always done, recognising talent and promoting their inspiring collections. We’ve worked closely with many of these designers already and I’m excited to continue our journey together,” commented MATCHESFASHION Head of Menswear Damien Paul .  The Innovators Programme will officially take shape in September with original content and amplification of each talent that will continue throughout the year.

Tags: ahluwalia, Bianca Saunders, charles jeffrey, chopova lowena, Grace Wales Bonner, harris reed, matchesfashion.com, stefan cooke

London based designer Harris Reed recently debuted their latest graduate collection under the theme “Thriving in our outrage.” Virtually launched online via instagram and other platforms, the collection explores gestures of fluidity and flamboyance as an act of resistance.

“Do we express ourselves because we are angry ? Does outrage breed the outrageous? Without outrage for change, where does one find their strength to make a push towards difference?” Are the questions they ask themselves. The collection is an exploration of the idea of performance, opulence and self expression as a daily ritual of our modern day lives, ranging from   the possibilities of fluid bridal wear, theatricality and glamour. With strong convincing visuals created in lockdown, the designer constructs a narrative around extravagance born from a selection of inspirations tracking as far back as Henry Paget , the 5th Marquess of Anglesey — one of history’s most eccentric aristocrat who defied societal expectations by divorcing his wife, and being known for transforming his family chapel into for a location where he’d regularly entertain in gender fluid costumes while performing plays by Oscar Wilde and was later prosecuted on the grounds of homosexuality.

Reed looked towards Paget’s gendered opulence and bravery interpreted as an act of resistance that flourished into flamboyance, which could not be more current with the realities of the current times. He also took hints from the rock band New York Dolls who are known for juxtaposing traditional stage wear elements like sequins , crystals and feathers with 70s masculine tailoring.  With a digital lookbook , the designer pieced together all these key points of inspiration to create this collection of re-interpreted flamboyance channelled through the medium of every day fashion. For more info on the collection visit HarrisReed.com. 

Tags: Emerging Talent, Fashion, harris reed