New Look design competition winner announced
UK fashion retailer New Look has announced the launch of the London College of Fashion Master’s collection for New Look. The collection comprises six styles designed by four MA students studying MA Fashion Footwear. Overall winner Chang Seok (Ralf) Ko produced three of the winning designs (a flat sandal, a high open toe mule and a mid heel strappy sandal) with runners up Ruth Jones, Adriana Iurascu and Kim Kwang producing one design each.
In March 2010, New Look set London College of Fashion (LCF) students on the Cordwainers at London College of Fashion MA Fashion Footwear course the task of designing a range of shoes with a view of one or more of the styles being selected as part of the exclusive six style spring-summer 2011 collection. Leading the judging panel was New Look’s group design director Barbara Horspool, Malcolm Collins, (director for footwear and accessories) Fiona McGuire, (senior footwear designer) and Helen Bleazard (head of buying – footwear and acessories). The panel was also joined by LCF’s Professor Roy Peach, dean of the School of Graduate Studies. Also sitting on the panel of judges and providing a critical designer eye was famed British footwear designer Jonathan Kelsey and British womenswear designer Giles Deacon who has been working with New Look on a collaborative basis for the past three years designing Gold by Giles.
Overall winner Chang (Ralf) Seok Ko, who produced three styles using a bleached denim technique with hand frayed raw edges, will play an integral role in the craftsmanship and production process of his shoes and gain the opportunity to see his designs made up by one of New Look’s suppliers.
