It’s certainly an understatement to say that it’s been a particularly difficult year for the fashion industry (just as it has for all people and businesses). In response to the unfolding crises this year has brought, the 2020 Fashion Laureate Awards (sponsored by IMG and first established in 2008) has adapted its categories to better recognise the willpower and persistence of the industry leaders, designers and businesses in the wake of COVID-19.
This year’s award categories include Sustainable Innovation, Established Designer, Emerging Designer, The People’s Choice and 2020 Award for Change and Innovation.
Showroom-X is thrilled to receive a nomination for the Australian Fashion Laureate’s Change and Innovation Award.
The nomination acknowledges “industry leaders and businesses that have shown admirable efforts to adapt and operate through the challenges faced over the last 12 months”.
We are honoured to share this experience with some of our partnered labels and fellow nominees, including Esse Studios, KITX and Bassike.
ESSE Studios Founded in 2017, Charlotte Hicks launched ESSE Studios with a dream to craft timeless, considered wardrobe staples while also combating the volume of waste produced by the fashion industry each year. Beloved for its slow-release, capsule collections, each design is intended to be worn beyond its release season, and is constructed from high quality materials such as Italian cotton and high quality yarn. The cult favourite ready-to-wear label is nominated for the Best Emerging Designer award.
KITX Since its conception, KITX’s creative director, Kit Willow, has built her collections around the ethos of “planet over profit”. The sustainability-driven label provides women with ready-to-wear pieces that aim to minimise fashion’s impact on the planet and its natural resources. KITX is nominated for the Best Established Designer award, which celebrates designers for their innovation and practice within the sustainability sector.
Bassike Founded in 2006 with high-end design and sustainable manufacturing at front of mind, the Bassike philosophy rings clear throughout the brand’s range of organic cotton jersey separates and luxurious wardrobe essentials. Bassike is nominated alongside KITX for the Best Established Designer award.
The awards follow a year of intensive growth and development for Showroom-X. In addition to our Australian launch in August, CEO and co-founder Richard Paulson was invited by Business of Fashion’s Imran Amed to participate in a digital global Retail Roundtable platform. The online conversation continues fortnightly in conjunction with the Australian Fashion Council. Paulson has also been invited to speak as a speaker at the upcoming international Fashion Futurum Forum, exploring the topic “What is the future of fashion independent brands in post-COVID reality?”, and will be live-streamed on leading Russian and international media and social media platforms.
Over 30 industry veterans including media, buyers, communications professionals, brands, executives and designers will decide the winners of the 2020 Australian Fashion Laureate, announced to the public on December 1. The awards hope to bring unity to the industry and a sense of optimism and prosperity as the year draws to a close.
BY SHOWROOM-X
