Iconic British retailer Marks & Spencer has sponsored a new award for Texprint this year. Libby Allan, Trend Lead, Womenswear & Lingerie, at Marks & Spencer, says: “We’re really excited about the Fashion Textile Award. It allows us to deepen our relationship with Texprint and establish a relationship with a young designer that we will hope will evolve beyond the award itself.”
Allan saw the Texprint designers for the first time in London back in July. “There was so much great work. The variety was impressive, and so was the confidence of the designers. These days it’s not just about the work but also how the work is presented. When you’re in the industry you have so many people to convince – an ability to present your work effectively becomes really important.”
Allan, together with heads of design at M&S, have drawn up a shortlist for the Award, which will be announced at Première Vision Designs in Paris on September 20. The three Texprint names on the shortlist are Olivia Qi, Lucy Day and Roberta Fox, and the winner will receive £1,000 as well as a paid three-month internship with the M&S print design team.
