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The winner of the H&M Design Award 2012 was announced today as Stine Riis, a 28 year old graduate from the London College of Fashion. She was revealed as the global winner at a special catwalk show at Stockholm’s Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week, where Stine presented her winning collection. The H&M Design Award has seen graduates from fourteen colleges in six different countries compete first to be the local winner, and then go on to the grand prize jury. The award was set up to recognise new fashion design talent and encourage people into the industry.
Lucky Stine won €50,000 and the chance to have around fifteen pieces from her collection sold in selected H&M stores globally in September! Stine was chosen by a line-up of judges which included fashion designer Christopher Kane, noted fashion journalists Hilary Alexander and Kristopher Arden Houser, fashion blogger Susie Lau, H&M’s creative advisor Margareta van den Bosch and H&M’s head of design, Ann-Sofie Johansson.
“I am still overwhelmed,” said Stine, “Showing at Stockholm’s Mercedes-Benz fashion week has been such a great experience. I can’t believe so many people came to see my collection! This award gives me the confidence and financial back-up I need to pursue my dream of building my own brand. I couldn’t have imagined a better start to my career as a designer.”
“Stine Riis impressed us all with the maturity and modernity of her work. Her collection was so complete, and so well finished. It was such a sophisticated show, and such an exciting occasion. I am proud that Stine is the first winner of the H&M Design Award,” said Ann-Sofie Johansson, H&M Head of Design.
Stine Riis is a designer from Copenhagen who studied for her BA at the London College of Fashion. She called her final collection “Decadence & Decay”, and describes her style as “tailored future elegance”. Stine puts great importance into the creative process and wants the construction of the garments to be part of the design, while also making clothing that is both wearable and covetable.
