The latest womenswear recipients for NEWGEN autumn/winter 2015 have been announced. Ashley Williams and Ryan Lo will receive catwalk sponsorship next season, having both received presentation sponsorship last time round, as well as 1205 and Marques Almeida, who will be receiving catwalk sponsorship again. Claire Barrow, Danielle Romeril and Faustine Steinmetz will be receiving presentation sponsorship along with newcomer Molly Goddard. Two new names to the NEWGEN roster are Marta Jakubowski and Sadie Williams, who have been given exhibition sponsorship for the upcoming season.

“NEWGEN produces the stars of London Fashion Week – the phenomenal progress of Marques Almeida in six seasons of support is proof of that,” states Sarah Mower –  BFC Ambassador for Emerging Talent. “Following in their footsteps is a whole new slew of discoveries whose sparky originality and careful entrepreneurialism have won them the praise of the NEWGEN committee and Topshop’s invaluable sponsorship. We think the quality, colour and sheer desirability of the clothes audiences will be seeing from 1205, Ashley Williams, Claire Barrow, Danielle Romeril, Faustine Steinmetz and Ryan Lo will step up yet another rung this season. And now they’re joined by an influx of three brilliantly individualistic young women, Molly Goddard, Marta Jakubowski and Sadie Williams.”

britishfashioncouncil.co.uk

Tags: 1205, Ashley Williams, Claire Barrow, Danielle Romeril, Faustine Steinmetz, Marta Jakubowski, Molly Goddard, NEWGEN, Ryan Lo, Sadie Williams

Marta Jakubowski caught our attention with her MA graduate collection, when it walked down the Royal College of Art’s Graduate Showcase back in June. Meters of red, white and black fabric connected the models, creating a fluid line of design, from train to metallic headpiece. Intrigued, we caught up with the young designer to find out more.

Tell us a little bit about your background – where did you study?
I started my degree at University of Applied Sciences Trier in Germany, took a year out to study at Central Saint Martins and finished my MA at Royal College of Art this summer. In between, I worked with Bruno Pieters, Jonathan Saunders, Alexander Wang and Hussein Chalayan.

You’ve lived in many cities – Berlin, Antwerp, London and New York. Does this influence you as a designer?
I’m not sure how it influenced me as a designer yet – it definitely influenced me as a person. It used to be so exciting for me to move to new cities with one suitcase, sometimes not even sure where to live and creating my own little life from scratch. I was always very lucky to meet amazing people. There was a time where I couldn’t stay longer than six months in one place, I would get bored and had the need to move on. London is different – it feels home and that’s nice.

What was the inspiration behind your MA graduate show?
It’s about the loss of my mum and how much I love and miss her. It’s about the endless connection after being separated. I was trying to capture emotions, all the sadness, madness and sickness in my silhouettes. I was very angry and depressed while I was working on the collection. Now I feel more peaceful if I look at the collection. I guess to deal with it was the best therapy.

Why red, white and black?
They were the colours I was seeing, feeling and thinking at that moment. There wasn’t another option. Red for love, black for sorrow and white for a new beginning.

What design houses or fashion brands do you aspire to be like or find inspiration from?
I love the late 90’s early 2000’s, especially the work of Hussein Chalayan, Helmut Lang and Martin Margiela at that time. It’s was so subtle, effortless and had a great concept.

What have you been up to since graduation?
I had a great summer in London, it’s so good to be able to spend more time with my friends again. Besides that, I’m still trying to earn a lot of money. Lately, I was preparing for London Fashion Week, where I’m showcasing part of my collection in the British Fashion Councils’ ‘Once to Watch’ installation in Somerset House – that’s very exciting!

Marta Jakubowski‘s London Fashion Week exhibition opens today as part of the Designer Showrooms at Somerset House. 

Photographer Niko Mitrunen captures Marta Jakubowski in her studio. 

Tags: AW14, london fashion week, Marta Jakubowski, Niko Mitrunen