Winner of H&M’S Design Award 2012 announced
02 February 2012 09:46
The winner of the H&M Design Award 2012 has been announced as Stine Riis, a 28-year-old graduate from the London College of Fashion. She was revealed as the global winner at a special catwalk show at Stockholm's Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week, where Ms Riis presented her winning collection. Ms Riis wins €50,000, and the chance to have around fifteen pieces from her collection sold in selected H&M stores in United Kingdom, Belgium, Denmark, Germany, Sweden and The Netherlands in September. She was chosen by a grand jury which included fashion designer Christopher Kane, noted fashion journalists Hilary Alexander and Kristopher Arden Houser, fashion blogger Susie Lau, H&M's creative advisor Margareta van den Bosch and H&M's head of design, Ann-Sofie Johansson
Ms Riis commented: "I am still overwhelmed. Showing at Stockholm's Mercedes-Benz fashion week has been such a great experience. I can't believe so many people came to see my collection! This award gives me the confidence and financial back-up I need to pursue my dream of building my own brand. I couldn't have imagined a better start to my career as a designer."
"Stine Riis impressed us all with the maturity and modernity of her work. Her collection was so complete, and so well finished. It was such a sophisticated show, and such an exciting occasion. I am proud that Stine is the first winner of the H&M Design Award," added Ann-Sofie Johansson, H&M head of design.
Meanwhile, the winner of the H&M Design Award People's Prize, decided by visitors to the H&M Design Award website, was announced as Dutch finalist Anne Bosman. Mr Bosman receives a month's internship at Christopher Kane's design studio in London.
In other news, H&M celebrated the launch of the new David Beckham Bodywear collection last night, with an in-store launch, followed by a cocktail party at a pop-up gentleman's club. This debut collection is the first in a long-term partnership between David Beckham and H&M, and is available from today in 1,800 H&M stores worldwide, as well as online.
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