STOCKPORT STUDENT IS ONE OF SELFRIDGES BRIGHT YOUNG THINGS!

Stockport has a connection for Selfridges’ Bright Young Things as the class of 2013 is unveiled.

This year, Selfridges are introducing another 15 ‘ones to watch’ from the worlds of fashion, art, design and food, including Stockport girl George Wu who is one of the selected hopefuls.

Three of Selfridges most exciting young design talents studied in the North West at Manchester & Stockport
as Bright Young Things – the project which helped launch the careers of Simone Rocha, Christopher Shannon, Alex Noble and Maarten van der Horst – returns to Selfridges for a third edition.

Bolder and more compelling than ever before and in a new diary slot, the initiative continues to act as Selfridges’ singular take on the designers to watch this year within and beyond fashion.

The Poundshop collective founded in 2010 by Stockport’s George Wu along with Sara Melin and Sarah Gottlieb, is a platform for designers to sell designer goods under the strict brief that the product is to be sold within the affordable price bands £1, £5, and £10.

Co-Founder George is originally from Stockport and went to school at Oriel Bank High school, completing her A levels at Manchester High. George studied for an art and design foundation course at Manchester metropolitan university before moving to London where she set up The Poundshop, the aim of which is to spread design to a wider audience by making it accessible through price and engagement.

Working with a wide range of designers, most of whom are new to making products, The Poundshop is the perfect testing ground to experiment with new and interesting products.  With low overheads and the minimal risk of small-scale production, participants are able to experience the markets reaction to their wares first hand. The Poundshop pop up online shop, allows users to purchase products online and the products have now been sold to all corners of the world.

The Poundshop has worked with many cultural institutions to establish itself on the design calendar and recently had a pop up shop in Manchester’s Northern Quarter supported by the Chinese Arts Centre.

Throughout September and running until 17 October, Bright Young Things 2013 will usher in the traditional season of design celebrations around the UK, with its new showcase of un-missable emerging creative talents. Selected by a panel led by members of the Selfridges’ Creative Team under the directorship of Creative Director Alannah Weston, and which includes Selfridges’ top buyers, merchandisers, window designers and stylists, the Bright Young Things of 2013 feature a total of fifteen UK-based rising stars from the worlds of fashion, art and design and food.

All Bright Young Things were shortlisted on the strength of their creative vision and the outstanding quality of their craft.

As is customary with the initiative, the Bright Young Things will each have the privilege to create their own display in one of Selfridges’ world-famous Oxford Street windows. They will be free to express their brand as they wish, working with the renowned Selfridges windows team. With over one million people walking past the iconic windows every week, the displays will provide an incredible launch-pad for these fledgling designers to showcase their brand vision and creations to the public.

Bright Young Things product, most of which will be limited edition pieces created especially for Selfridges, will be sold in a dedicated temporary shop to be set up in Selfridges’ Concept Store on the ground floor’s Wonder Room. An exclusive range of tee-shirts, all bearing a unique design signifying each Bright Young Thing’s brand essence will also be available from the shop.
Finally, a new addition to the initiative is the introduction of a mentoring scheme. Each Bright Young Thing will be advised throughout the Selfridges collaboration and beyond, by a relevant Selfridges mentor to help pave their way for a successful future.

2013’s Bright Young Things are:
WOMENSWEAR
 Daniel Pollitt
 Sadie Williams
 Yeashin
MENSWEAR
 Alan Taylor
 Hiroaki Kanai
ACCESSORIES
 Grace Hamilton
 Sarah Williams
 Keely Hunter
 Cari Marsden, The Co Project
ART & DESIGN
 Eleanor Davies
 Anna Lomax
 Clementine Keith-Roach
 Katy Beverage
 The Poundshop
FOOD
 Tasha Marks, AVM Curiosities

Alannah Weston, Selfridges’ Creative Director, comments:

“One of the most rewarding aspects of my work is to apply the considerable might of our brand to seek, find and nurture young talents whenever possible and wherever they are. There would be no future for our retail industry and many other creative industries if there was not renewal of ideas, no fresh approach and only place for the tried and tested. Selfridges is the perfect laboratory to give the designers of tomorrow a chance to make their mark on our customers today and our Bright Young Things initiative is our annual celebration of the very essence of creativity – newness and excitement.”

Selfridges’ Bright Young Things first launched in January 2011 and had a January 2012 follow-up showcase. Both editions featured emerging creatives including womenswear designers Alex Noble, and Simone Rocha, and menswear designers Martine Rose, and Matthew Miller. Attracting the attention of the international press and providing a powerful platform for all the participating creators, the programme was a resounding success – with all designers going on to continue the growth of their brands in the subsequent years.