open to anyone from fashion design students to self-taught enthusiasts, the competition will, it is hoped, offer its six finalists the exposure and prestige that any young designer craves.
Building on the attention received last year, when over 100 entries were judged by the irrepressible Glasgow designer, Pam Hogg, Bacardi have nevertheless dropped the Caribbean theme, in favour ofa more familiar preoccupation — club culture. All thoughts of grass skirts and body wraps are to be restrained, or alternatively, customised to the rhythm ofa funky beat.
Allowing the competitors both direction and scope on their imaginative journey into the textile world, the brief is to ‘design an outfit which reflects Scotland's unique club scene.‘ A maximum of four sketches outlining up to three garments, and capturing that elusive world of the disco floor, must be submitted by August 23, in order that this year‘s fashion gods can pore over them.
Bruce Oldfield, the Barnardos boy who grew up to design some of
Janice Forsyth, journalist and ‘NB' presenter:
‘So much of the British fashion industry today focuses on London, yet Scotland has produced many successful and accomplished designers. lam sure thatthis competition will highlight all that Scotland has to offer in terms of innovative and exciting design.’
-q‘f‘
Princess Diana‘s feathers and frills, will lead a panel of ‘experts from the fashion industry’ — NB‘s Janice Forsyth; fashion guru ofthe Daily Record Fiona Black; representatives from Bacardi itself, and a major Scottish retailer. as yet unnamed.
Shying away from the hiccup caused by last year‘s prize, which promised that a line of the winner‘s designs be created and sold by a prolific cottish retailer, Bacardi have since shifted the focus away from the finished article, and on to the portfolio. Peter McGraith, a freelance designer from Glasgow, found it virtually impossible to dictate to the powers-that-be just what fabrics his winning designs would be made of, and in light of his frustration. at more practical. but hopefully, equally effective prize has been devised. This year‘s winner will witness the photography of their design by a leading Scottish photographer, as well as receiving a £1000 handshake. In addition, all six finalists will, courtesy of Bacardi, see their designs materialise for the grand finale at The Tunnel on
Fiona Black, fashion editor of the Daily Record:
‘Having been closely involved with the Scottish fashion industry for a number of years now, i have great faith in the creativity and dedication of our up-and-coming designers. Scotland's rich culture and heritage are a unique source of inspiration
for the fashion designer.’
BAGKLIS'I’
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2 November 1991. i
The Bacardi Scottish designer award, although still striving for the prestige ofits British equivalent, is § undoubtedly an exciting prospect for the Scottish fashion and retail l industries. The quality of the 1990 entries alone proved that it takes more than tweeds and tartans to provoke the imaginations ofa generation of fledgeling designers. And by dragging the gaze of fashion addicts further north than is traditionally acceptable, that seemingly eternal triangle ofdesign capitals ‘London-Paris-New York' may even become a square.
The Bacardi Rum Scottish Fashion Designer of the Year Competition is open to an yone over eighteen who lives orstudies in Scotland. The closing date for entries is 23 August 1991 . Further details can be obtained from PR (.‘mzsultants, 20 Stafford Street, Edinburgh E H3 78 D. The List will be publishing a special fashion supplement to coincide with the finale at The Tunnel on
2 November.
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The List lZ—ZSJuly 199l 75