10 Star Designers From The Mercedes-Benz Fashion Talents Canon Put On Installation
When it comes to sourcing, supporting (quite literally ) and showcasing emerging talent in the fashion sphere, there is no brand more influential than Mercedez-Benz.
For the last ten years, through their, formerly 'Mercedes-Benz International Designer Exchange Program' - recently renamed 'Mercedez-Benz Fashion Talents' - they'e discovered some of the world's leading fashion designers, helping to propel them to superstardom.
It's no wonder, then, that to celebrate the decade anniversary of the high-profile scheme, they invited a collection of the most pre-eminent alumni to put together a retrospective installation at Somerset House.
As we move past this incredible milestone, and into the second decade of the programme, Mercedes-Benz is changing and broadening the mandate slightly. In the future, they propose to support talent from a variety of creative industries, plus the brand also plans to work with schools which have leading curriculums in the creative industries of art, design, photography as well as fashion.
Here is a recap of some of the greatest designers to have come through the Mercedes-Benz programme who are showing at the Somerset House retrospective:
DION LEE
The Australian star has helmed his cult label for ten years, in that time he’s opened six flagship stores in his home country, been the first ever designer to stage a show in the Sydney Opera House - opening Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Australia in spectacular style May, 2017 - and now boasts over 40 of the world’s most prestigious stockists. “Sensual and technical” and “engineered sensuality” are his buzz words.
AMESH WIJESEKERA
This London born, Sri Lankan raised rising star may have only graduated in 2015 but he's already garnering attention and made his catwalk debut this year at MBFW (formerly Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week) Berlin. His colour-fuelled, bold aesthetic draws on his dual heritage. "I wanted to create something fresh from something raw" he enthuses over the "sense of chaotic calmness" he aims for in his work.
JULIA SEEMANN
Swiss designer Julia Seemann grew up in Lucerne and honed her skill working for Vivienne Westwood and Meadham Kirchhoff in London before launching her own label in Zurich. Soon after, her label was worn by Rihanna and she has presented her collection at Der Berliner Salon in January 2017. Engaged with art, music and other subcultures the designer enthuses that “we’re always in search of forward- thinking concepts for sustainable collaborations.”
SITUATIONIST
“Situationist is designed for individuals with character who prefer quality instead of quantity,” says Irakli Rusadze, who founded the Tbilisi-based fashion label in 2015. The brand takes its cue from post-Soviet era aesthetic tropes: over-proportioned tailoring, leather boots and matronly dresses. “I wanted to explore links between collective historic identity and character of an individual, modern- day Georgian and how it can be reflected in fashion”, he explained.
STEVEN TAI
Canadian designer Steven Tai launched his label in 2013 after winning the ‘Chloé Prize’ at the International Festival of Fashion, Photography and Fashion Accessories in Hyères. Part of the prize was a show at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Berlin, which the designer says encouraged him to start his own business. He quickly became recognised for his freshly off-kilter take on femininity. While studying at the prestigious Central Saint Martins, Tai cut his teeth working for Stella McCartney and Viktor & Rolf. “We celebrate the underdogs and qualities that are not often celebrated,” says the designer who describes his work as an exploration of the confidence it takes to be different.
XIAO LI
This knitwear specialist has presented her work at London Fashion Week since 2014. Her striking, intricately technical sculptural work earned her the admiration of the late, great Azzedine Alaïa, and was nominated for the LVMH Prize in 2015. “Modern, innovative, bold and colourful,” is how Li describes her work. “I like to make a commentary in my work about the current situations within the fashion industry, in a light- hearted, playful way,” she adds.
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