An interview with Gavin Douglas Winner of Fashion Fringe 2006
29-09-2006
The brainchild of Sunday Times journalist Colin McDowell, Fashion Fringe is an opportunity to showcase creative talent and discover new, up and coming designers with the potential to reach high fashion status. This year was not a disappointment.
Winner, Gavin Douglas from Birmingham, delivered a truly amazing and unique collection. Inspired by an exhibition he saw about black Victorians in England, his theatrical garments includes embellished corsets, swashbuckling jackets, and swagged shirts made from up to 10 metres of silk. The intricate detailing and exquisite designs certainly impressed the judges leading him to win this prestigious award.
Wondering what goes through the mind of the winner of Fashion Fringe? Where he aspires to be in five years time? Then read on for a unique insight into the mind of Gavin Douglas.
When I spoke to Gavin about his success he genuinely seemed appreciative of this amazing opportunity he’s been granted. He clearly knows as well as any young designer just how difficult it is to break into the industry and establish a name for yourself.
He said it was the great technical guidance and of course the “£100,000 prize money in business advice and manufacturing that was really helping him to push his label forward.” Ultimately his goal now is to continue the hard work and gain as much recognition with his label as possible.
I asked about the collection to get an insight into truly how difficult it is to put together such elaborate design work. He said the short amount of time in which the collection had to be completed meant added pressure, but as many artists will tell you, this pressure acts as a driving force which clearly enabled Gavin to produce the highest quality of work possible. He explained he appreciated the short time scale, as once the collection was complete he was able look back over his work with great satisfaction, knowing he had created his best work.
In five years time Gavin hopes to have developed his label, branching out into menswear and also homewear. He is still very much focused on his current collection so nothing has yet been put down on paper, but I am sure he has many ideas running through his brain, which when they are developed will be just as unique and awe-inspiring as his current work.
Next on Gavin’s agenda is Paris fashion Week from 6th – 9th Oct. He’s very much looking forward to showcasing his collection at Rendez-vous, everything is fully prepared and I’m sure he can’t wait to take Paris Fashion Week by storm just as he did here in London.
We wish him all the success for the future.
By Jenni Sutton
