For this third and final edition of Absolut Label, Best Company once again researched and selected the best up & coming fashion talent from countries all over the world. For this season lead agency KesselsKramer and Absolut Vodka invited them to design exclusive 'underwear’ inspired by a detail from Absolut’s world famous bottle, this time the iconic vodka’s founding year 1879.
The photography by Sophia & Mauro is inspired by the infamous masked ball tradition from the same era.
The photography by Sophia & Mauro is inspired by the infamous masked ball tradition from the same era.
But let us introduce the fine young designers we selected.
From Spain – Bambi by Laura
www.bambibylaura.com
From Poland – Anna Kuczynska
www.ueg.pl
From Brazil – Neon
Designers Rita Comparato and Dudu Bertholini (both São Paulo, 1980) brought the bathing suit to the runway like no designers have done before. Of course Brazil has the ultimate bathing suit climate and flavor so the match with this ‘lingerie theme’ was easily made. Neon not only design the most sexy and luring beach outfits, they are also known for their signature print designs. No wonder the label was soon picked up by the best magazines around from Vogue to V and from i-D to Crash. Neon is sold in the best designer fashion boutiques in Brazil like Daslu and Pelu as well as in 15 countries overseas. Dudu also works as a stylist for various magazines and is editor in chief of 2fanzine. Rita is the pattern maker of the two and worked for several designers like Alexandre Herchcovitch.
From the UK – Swash
From the UK – Swash
From London we picked Sarah Swash and Toshio Yamanaka to add some odd cult flavour to the mix and because this yin-yang looking couple doesn’t design for the usual super models. The two met while studying fashion at Central Saint Martins College of Art & Design in London where they developed their signature styles. Having declined a position at Yohji Yamamoto they started their label Swash in 2003 based on their love for loose fitting utilitarian clothing and the most wonderful print inspirations. In 2004 they waltzed off with multiple prizes at the prestigious Festival International des Arts de la Mode a Hyeres, winning the Grand Prix; the 123 award and the Punto Seta prize.
www.swash.co.uk
From Greece – Apostolos Mitropoulos
www.swash.co.uk
From Greece – Apostolos Mitropoulos
Apostolos Mitropoulos (Athens 1977) graduated from fashion college Veloudakis in ’97 and started designing costumes for various party performances and theatre while working as a stylist for TV, commercials, magazines and several fasion brands like Levi’s. All this turned out good preparation for the fashion arena which he entered with his first show in Paris at the Caroussel du Louvre for spring-summer 2001. In 2003 Mitrolpoulos became a member of the Hellenic Fashion Designers Association and up until today he keeps his multi disciplined styling and design practice in pace.
From Canada – Jean-Pierre Braganza
From Canada – Jean-Pierre Braganza
Although Jean-pierre Braganza was born in London and ultimately polished his fashion skills at Central Saint Martins, in between he grew up in Canada and that made him Canadien enough for our selection. Jean-Pierre Braganza worked as an assistant to fashion designers Robert-Cary Williams and Roland Mouret before debuting with his own fall-winter 2004 collection during London Fashion Week, showing at the Canadien Embassy. Braganza’s collections for both men and women were picked up by the watchful media from day one and he is heralded for his sharp, sexy and utterly contemporary tailoring. Hint Magazine, British Vogue, the Independent, i-D, they sure recognize a promising talent when the see one.
www.jeanpierrebraganza.com
For Philippines _ Lesley Mobo
www.jeanpierrebraganza.com
For Philippines _ Lesley Mobo
When Philippino born Lesley Mobo (1977) graduated from Central Saint Martens in London in 2004 he had already worked for the likes of Stella McCarthney, Zandra Rhodes, Clements Ribiero, Cacharel and the Jasmine Di Milo label at Harrods, where he is still employed as senior designer. In the same year he not only raised admiration as a ‘supertalent’ with his monumental graduation show, he also won Diesel’s International Talent Support (ITS) #3 Award and presented a collection under his own label in selected Diesel stores world wide a year later. His work consists of a combination of Filipino imagination and British tutelage. Both elements weave together in a dazzling and voluminous display of craftsmanship and art on the catwalk.
And last but not least, for India – Ashis
And last but not least, for India – Ashis
As fashion needs glitter and fun like gardens need rain and sun the choice for India was easy to make. Ashish made his glittering entry on the fashion platform by showing off schedule during the Autumn/Winter 2004-05 London Fashion Week. The press was unanimous, Ashish made “a delightfully bright and cheery catwalk debut” which subsequently won him a 'New generation’ sponsorship by the British Counsil, meaning he could show his next collection on the official calendar of the London Fashion Week. But way before his grand debut in the spotlights Ashish’s fall 2001 debut collection was snapped up by Browns Focus, stylists featured his designs in magazines like Vogue, Nylon, Elle and Dazed & Confused and celebrities like Jerry Hall, Elizabeth Jagger, Mena Suvari, Sophie-Ellis Bextor and Alison Goldfrapp were among his devoted clientele. Ashish's designs are bold, bright and colorful with fun graphics, eye catching sequins and delicate beading.
www.ashish.co.uk
www.ashish.co.uk