H&M ANNOUNCES 8 DESIGN AWARD 2015 FINALISTS

H&M Design Award 2015

December 5, 2014

By Marcellous L. Jones

Photos Courtesy of H&M (Copyright Third Channel)

Paris, France – In its steady commitment to supporting some of the most promising future designers, H&M has announced its selection of 8 fashion graduates who will compete for €50,000 at the H&M Design Award. The winner will be announced on January 27, 2015.

Pieces from their winning collection will be developed for sales at select H&M stores. The winner will present his or her collection at the Fashion Week Stockholm and will benefit from mentoring from top industry specialists. And each finalist will receive €5,000.

The nominees have been selected from some of the world’s top rated design schools from which they have graduated. The candidates’ diverse range of geographical backgrounds is a testament to fashion’s power to inspire without geographical frontiers.

“As a design-driven company, it is an honor for H&M to be able to support fashion’s future talents. The level of creativity, passion and technical skill we’ve seen for this year’s H&M Design Award is exceptional.” says Ann-Sofie Johansson, H&M’s Head of Design, New Development.

The selection process was tough. And the judging will be undoubtedly even more rigorous. This year’s jury members include Luella Bartley, Design Director of Marc by Marc Jacobs; Lucinda Chambers, Fashion Director of British Vogue; Paula Goldstein di Principe, Creative Director; Tommy Ton, Visual Journalist; Angelo Flaccavento, Freelance Fashion Critic; Justin O’Shea, Buying Director for Mytheresa.com; Lily Allen, Singer/Songwriter; Ann-Sofie Johansson, H&M’s Head of Design, New Development; and Margareta van den Bosch, Creative Advisor, H&M.

2015 H&M DESIGN AWARD FINALISTS

Magdalena BROZDA / Poland / M.A. at the Geneva University of Art and Design; Andreas EKLÖF / Sweden) / M.A. Swedish School of Textiles in Borås; Graham FAN /Canada & Hong Kong / M.A. Central Saint Martins, London; Andrea JIAPEI LI / China / – MFA program at Parsons; James KELLY / United Kingdom / M.A. at the Royal College of Art in London; Leonard KOCIC / Serbia & Sweden / Beckmans College of Design in Sweden; Ximon LEE / Hong Kong / Parsons in New York City; and Fiona O’NEILL / Ireland / BA at Central Saint Martins, London.