Thomas Tait Wins Dorchester Prize
Fashion designer Thomas Tait winss Dorchester prize
Thomas Tait was announced as the first ever winner of the Dorchester Collection Fashion Prize last night.
The award for a ready-to-wear designer or premium accessories designer who “best demonstrated unique design flair, a capability for future critical distinction and commercial success,” gave Tait £250, 000 towards his next collection and the opportunity to showcase his collection at a Dorchester hotel of his choice.
It was judged by fashion experts Manolo Blahnik, Yasmin Le Bon, Giles Deacon, Daphne Guiness, milliner Stephen Jones and fashion editors Elizabeth Saltzman, Bronwyn Cosgrave and Gianluca Longo.
Tait presented his first collection at London Fashion Week in February this year after becoming the youngest ever student to be admitted to and complete the MA in womenswear at Central St Martin’s aged 20.
“Thomas Tait is only 22 years old but he has a highly original, confident point of view which, ultimately convinced the judges that he was worthy of the prize,” judge Bronwyn Cosgrave said. “His curvilinear minimalist, couture-quality approach to tailoring demonstrates a new direction for fashion, which is very exciting. A star is born.”
The runners up were Louise Goldin, Mary Katrantzou, Chau Har Lee and Hermoine de Paula.