Profile Gets Bigger with its 4th Instalment

14-01-2025

Situated along the Thames, at the Old Billingsgate Market, last Sunday 15th and Monday 16th saw 78 selected exhibitors in the arenas of womenswear, menswear and accessories.

“With each Profile event we get more and more talented designers, more and more interest from buyers, and more and more great industry contacts,” said David Jones, Director and Chair of the London Fashion Forum.

“The House of Fraser has been with us from the very beginning and still show great enthusiasm for the Profile event. Debenhams are also on board for the second time and we are also delighted to be joined by our friends at Hobbs, who will be stocking a Profile accessory designer for the very first time,” David continued.

Visitors walking through those Profile doors this season included the likes of; Caren Downie, Buying Director at TopShop, Nicola Mellor, Buyer for Ladies Casualwear at Selfridges and Simon Longland, Accessories Buyer for Liberty. Along with the static exhibition and the chance to chat with some of the industry’s up-and-coming designers, regular catwalk shows brought a selection of labels to life, also adding a touch of drama to the proceedings.

The final Profile catwalk presentation culminated in an awards ceremony, with three lucky winners adding a major high street store to their stockists lists.

First up was the House of Fraser, who had the extremely difficult task of selecting one womenswear designer. “The House of Fraser is the UK’s leading retailer of designer brands. Last seasons winner – Elizabeth Lau is about to launch her autumn/winter collection in store, and for the following spring/summer we have selected Luigi by Louis de Gama,” announced Ellen Andrew, Womenswear Buyer from the House of Fraser.

Stefan Pesticcio, Menswear Buying Manager for Debenhams, followed by revealing his choice: “We are very proud to be a sponsor of Profile,” he said before announcing ‘Cracked Corn’ as this season’s menswear winner.

Finally, newcomers to the Profile event – Hobbs commented on the high calibre of designs on show. Kay Morley from Hobbs said, “Hobbs are delighted to be sponsoring Profile, we have chosen a designer that we feel is very original Ann Ann.”

Elsewhere, there were plenty of interesting creations to run your eyes over: Femininity ruled at Franco Francesca, with beautifully cut transparent and shimmery layers. The devil was in the detail at F-risk, with denims that featured lower-leg side pockets and pleated sections. While the mood was somewhat Oriental at Maame Baryeh, with curvy hems, kimono shapes, sarouel style pants and fluid forms.

Profile 4 proved to be a real fashion feast with some rather excellent accessory designers to boot, so if you missed out – make sure you get involved next season with Profile 5.