Ones to watch: the motivations, inspirations and preparations of four new London Fashion Week designers

The successful designers were selected from a shortlist of 50 emerging designers
Charlie Teather18 September 2015

Picked by a panel of industry experts from a shortlist of 50 emerging designers, four young designers have been provided with a unique platform to raise their profile.

Leaf Xia, Typical Freaks, Anita Hirlekar and JS Shin are the winning designers, and are now set to showcase at Fashion Scout's Ones To Watch programme in association with Specsavers at London Fashion Week on Friday.

We caught up with the successful four, and found out more about the people behind the designs.

Fashion Scout - Ones to watch

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J S SHIN

How does it feel to be one of Fashion Scouts ‘Ones to Watch’ this year?

It is absolutely amazing. I think every designer who just graduated or wants to start their label wants to have this oppurtunity and I got this chance. I didn't think I would because I graduated two months ago and other designers who win this have amazing careers, but that makes it more exciting.

What can we expect from your show this season?

I hope you can find modernized Orentalism with hand craft textures and silhouettes.

Are there any designers in particular whose work you look up to?

I look up to Dries Van Noten, I decided to do fashion when I saw Dries Van Noten's FALL 2009. And I still love his works and respect and admire.

LEAF XIA

When did your interest in fashion and design develop?

My grandfather is an artist focusing on traditional Chinese painting. I really appreciate his lifestyle and the positive attitude which art brings him so I've had an interest in art since I was little, but when I moved to New York to study fashion at 18 [it gave me] different perspectives and new understanding.

What can we expect from your show this season?

I use "luxury" in my collection this time. My aesthetic is always colourful, bold and creative, but for this season I care more about how people’s skin feel when they wear it. I am a New York based designer, so I get inspired from New yorker’s lifestyles, spirits and their night lives. They are cool, energetic, bold and so different. Everyone is a dreamer. So I mix the softness, the romance and the strong personalities in my collection.

What would you like your signature design style to be as you progress in the fashion world?

The colourful collaged crazy girl.

TYPICAL FREAKS

How have you found preparing for the London Fashion Week show?

We are usually very laid back, but the preparations have been pretty hectic. Almost all our pieces are hand printed and then painted, so they are really time consuming, and we do get slightly anxious if it will be finished on time.

What can we expect from your show this season?

Lots of bold, carefree clashing prints, layers of pastel colours and a slightly darker tone to our previous collection.

What is the plan for your brand over the next five years?

We would like to continue developing our brand, perhaps add an accessories line alongside our womenswear collections. We would love to get more international stockists, and to collaborate on new projects with some interesting and exciting people in the creative industry.

ANITA HIRLEKAR

When did your interest in fashion and design develop?

After I moved to London from Iceland to study at Central Saint Martins, It developed over the years of studying from BA til the MA where I specialised in fashion textiles, there is so much to see and experience in London and it was all so new.

How have you found preparing for the London Fashion Week show?

Its all so hectic but I love the madness and the excitement that builds up, so far there have been no dramatic disasters.

What would you like your signature design style to be as you progress in the fashion world?

I am still working on that one..but i always want to offer women unique and well considered designs .

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