Discover the next gen in fashion

It's a well-known fact that, in fashion, the only constant is change. The industry is always keen to celebrate something new. And, as we dive into the month of September, it is clear that fall is here. Fall is the start of the year for fashion. It is when everyone wants to know who has a new label or who is an up-and-coming designer to watch out for.
This is an opportunity for both new talent as well as established players. For established players, it is a way to prove that they still have a pulse on the market, something they do through mentorship programmes where they scout out new talent.  This helps bring new energy to an established fashion house. As for young talent, winning such a mentorship programme gives them an immediate stamp of approval.  
One of the oldest and most respected awards is the Woolmark International Prize. Three years ago, India won it for the first time as Rahul Mishra took home the coveted prize. He has since become a regular at Paris Fashion Week. The winner for 2017/18 was Ruchika Sachdeva for her label Bodice. And now, the process for 2018/19 will start soon.
Fashion powerhouse LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton SE - which owns brands such as Louis Vuitton, Fendi and Givenchy - also started a prize five years ago. The LVMH Prize has been awarded to designers such as Simon Porte Jacquemus whose label Jacquemus is now on every fashionable woman's wish list. By winning this prize, one young designer and three students not only receive substantial cash rewards but also mentorship from the industry's ruling conglomerate.
Closer to home is the Dubai Design Fashion Council/Vogue Arabia Fashion Prize (DDFC Vogue Fashion Prize) - and we should hear more about the 2018 edition in the next couple of months. The inaugural winner was Hussein Bazaza, and other noted winners include Ralph Masri and Okhtein. I find that keeping tabs on winners is a great way to discover new home-grown talent and I can't wait to see who makes it to the 'class of 2018'.
Most recently, Net-a-Porter (NAP) announced the Vanguard, a programme to scout, cultivate and promote emerging fashion designers. For their first Vanguard programme, they have selected Les Reveries, RUH, Gu_de and Martinez as the young talent they will take under their wing. When it comes to fashion and e-commerce, NAP has been a pioneer, a style standard, and for a young fashion brand to be on NAP means they have arrived. To receive guidance from NAP is invaluable.
Elizabeth von der Goltz, global buying director, NAP explains how it works, "The winners have been selected because of the impact we believe they're going to have on the fashion landscape. They don't just have access to our global team of experts but also to our worldwide customer base."
So, if you really are a fashion lover, it is important to keep an eye on these programmes - they are a great way to keep up with new names in the industry. You may even discover the next Karl Lagerfeld or Yves Saint Laurent (both, incidentally, winners of the Woolmark Prize, and in the same year too!).
 And as Elizabeth von der Goltz says, "Customers may want newness but they also want longevity. Buying into a cult item is much easier than adopting an entire look head to toe. Plus, it shows off your fashion credentials more if you're wearing a piece from a designer that's more under the radar." And that's why every real fashion girl should be checking out these programmes, prizes and mentorships as much they are the next season's collections.
sujata@khaleejtimes.com