Four UK participants have been shortlisted; Alison Vincent, Eva Lai, Irina Lazova and Lucy Gardner. A keen celebrator of international fashion, other shortlisted candidates in this year’s edition of LYCRA Future Designers include candidates from seven different countries: Hanna Lucatelli from Brazil; Han Zhongshu, Chow Bohan and Shixuan Zhao, from China; Alejandra Perdomo and Daniela Larrea from Colombia; Himani Harish from India; Silvia Silvia from Singapore ; and Patty Clariza, from the United States.  

This year in its 5th edition, LYCRA Future Designers will offer one outstanding student or graduate designer the chance to work with expert mentors at INVISTA and overall consultancy, as well as will receive fabrics with LYCRA fibre, a package to help with the development of a collection to help kick-start their careers.

Participants were invited to submit designs that could be manufactured using LYCRA fiber products, along with mood boards and supporting documentation making their case. Entries needed to be made up of any of the following categories of apparel: intimates, swim, active sportswear or hosiery/tights.

“The WGSN Global Fashion Awards offers the perfect international platform for INVISTA, owner of the LYCRA brand, to celebrate young up and coming design from across the globe with shortlisted candidates entering from countries such as UK, Colombia, Brazil, India, China, Singapore and the United States,” says Denise Sakuma, INVISTA Apparel Global Director of Brand and Communications. “We are so excited to be able to use this platform to launch new creative talents that will help lead and design the apparel industry.”

The LYCRA Future Designers 2012 was awarded to Shireeka Devlin who graduated from the London College of Fashion last year.

This year, the winner will be announced at a star-studded, exclusive gala event at the Victoria & Albert Museum in London on 30th October.

The WGSN Global Fashion Awards are staged by the world’s leading trend and style forecaster and recognise innovation in fashion and retail design on a worldwide scale.

Invista