Rooted in British fashion and design, Clothes Show Live has built a legacy over the decades for supporting the future generation of talent across the creative industry, and its 2015 Bright Young Things campaign is a celebration of just that.
Forming part of the show’s established education programme, the annual Bright Young Things photoshoot brings together up-and-coming names from all areas of the industry, spanning photography, styling, modelling, hair styling, make-up artistry and design. Students and graduates who were discovered at the show last year via its esteemed Creative Awards programme joined a line-up of recognised names in the industry to form the 2015 creative team for the shoot. At the forefront is 14-year-old model Siobhan Williams from Llandegla, a small village in Wales, who was scouted by Select Model Management while on a school trip to Clothes Show Live in 2014.
Siobhan commented, “I was very shocked to be scouted by Select at Clothes Show Live; I had never thought about being a model but after being scouted I felt really honoured to be one of the 10 people to be picked out of everyone that visited the show. I’ve had a few visits to London since being scouted and I’m enjoying every second of it!”
Fitting with the eclectic theme of ‘traditional Brit style vs. Japanese street style’, the diverse and vibrant selection of outfits ranged from colourful shift dresses with pop socks, to a young preppy style with clean-cut lines and soft embellishment, as well as darker looks with a rock edge reminiscent of the British Punk era.
Sophie Benson, who has styled the last two campaigns, commented; “It was great to be invited back to style the Bright Young Things shoot this year. The theme of the campaign was really creative and gave me the opportunity to work with some amazing designers that I’ve had my eye on for a while!”
Among the designer mix were budding graduates Nicola Brindle, Courtney Moncur and Nikita Karizma, whose pieces encompass the raw and inspiring new generation in British fashion. Successful footwear designer Kat Maconie, who launched her first collection in 2009 after little formal training in shoe-making, also featured heavily in the campaign with her striking, statement heels.
Commended designs from 2014 Creative Award winners Allegra Cook and Safa Tayebi, who won the awards for Best Young Handbag Designer and Young Designer respectively, also featured in the campaign. Allegra, of Burgess High School in West Sussex, created a denim, ethical backpack in line with the summer festival season; while Coventry University student Safa produced a decadent dress and leggings set representative of London, featuring the iconic Tube map design.
Capturing the action on the day was London-based photographer Sarah Cresswell, whose reputable portfolio includes many editorial, commercial and celebrity campaigns. She commented, “I have been a huge fan of Clothes Show Live since I was a teen and really enjoyed working on the Bright Young Things shoot. The team and I came up with a few ideas to keep the energy going on the day, which would then translate well onto the page. It was important that our star model promoted a strong, confident image; not just of a pretty girl, but a girl with a purpose!”
She added, “Sophie Benson did an excellent job styling and Siobhan was incredibly versatile in look. I love working with new talent and Siobhan was easy; she is a natural model and only needed a little guidance – I think she will go far!”
Frances Payne, Project Manager at Clothes Show Live and Producer for the Bright Young Things campaign, commented; “The Clothes Show Live Creative Awards programme provides up-and-coming talent with a unique platform to showcase their work with the opportunity to be recognised by leading fashion industry professionals.”
“As it was Siobhan’s first time in front of the camera it was really important to find the right creative team to ensure the best results. I have to say, everybody involved in the 2015 Bright Young Things shoot brought their A-game”.
The full creative team:
Frances Payne, Producer
Rebecca Pithouse, Assistant Producer
Sarah Cresswell, Photographer
Siobhan Williams, Model (Select Model Management)
Sophie Benson, Stylist
Jordan Shields, Assistant Stylist
Brooke Spooner, Hair Stylist
Madelaine Shavila, Make Up Artist
Theo Williams, Young Fashion Photographer award winner
The next edition of Clothes Show Live will take place from 4-8 December 2015 at the NEC, Birmingham. Tickets will go on sale in June and educational groups of 10+ can now reserve tickets via the Clothes Show Live website: www.clothesshowlive.com.
