Christopher Kane, Spring/Summer 2011 Collection

Christopher Kane wins the 2011 BFC Vogue Fashion Fund Award

Harriet Quick reports on the award to support British fashion talent

An ebullient Christopher Kane just back from a well deserved holiday in Talum received the 2011 BFC Vogue Fashion Award at a reception at the Almada Bar in Mayfair last week. The award, one of new wave of inspired awards conceived to support British fashion talent, comprises £200,000 (money donated from retailers including Tesco, Harrods, Debenhams as well as Condé Nast) and intense mentoring from industry players like the influential Marigay McKee, buying director at Harrods

In 2010, the first prize was given to Erdem who said the mentoring had been invaluable in helping him grow and fine tune his business and collections. Kane has already ear marked funds for expanding his tiny studio staff which is based in Dalston. His Spring Summer collection was a bold hit of neon and Japanese inspired tatoo prints on chic punky dresses trimmed with tiny flouro ribbons. Kane's handwriting is bold elegance that is immaculately made.  

He has found a big fan club for his leather jackets (Daisy Lowe has been seen sporting one) and his artful T shirts have become collectable season on season with prints like the bomb, alligator and galaxy. Kane's dresses are now worn by a hot list of celebrities. His sister Tammy Kane, creative director of the brand is by his side on a daily basis, and herself the perfect advert of this young London design house. 

Kane also designs the Versus line for Dontella Versace who has been a long time fan of his talents. 

Other nominees included Osman, Peter Pilotto, Charlotte Olympia, Nicholas Kirkwood, Jonathan Saunders and Richard Nicholl.

A comparable scheme in the United States, the CFDA Incubator awards, will showcase nominees work this week as NYC Fashion Week opens (10-17 February) the new AW 2010/11 catwalk season.

 

Harriet Quick is the Fashion Features Director at Vogue