Dorchester collection fashion prize grand final: 19 October 2010

On Tuesday 19 October 2010 the final event of the Dorchester Collection Fashion Prize took place in the Orchid Room at The Dorchester. This anticipated fashion moment saw the five designers shortlisted for the first Dorchester Collection Fashion Prize display a selection of looks, which they consider their best in an exclusive catwalk presentation. The designers shortlisted for the honour include Louise Goldin, Mary Katrantzou, Chau Har Lee, Hermione de Paula and Thomas Tait.

The winner of the Dorchester Collection Fashion Prize, Thomas Tait, received £25,000 to enable him to create his next collection as well as accommodation and an event at the Dorchester Collection hotel of his choice.

The judging panel included Manolo Blahnik, Giles Deacon, The Hon. Daphne Guinness, Stephen Jones, OBE, Yasmin Le Bon, Vanity Fair’s contributing editor Elizabeth Saltzman, ES magazine’s fashion director Gianluca Longo and Bronwyn Cosgrave, chairperson of the Dorchester Collection Fashion Prizeworking in Great Britain.

While the standard of all of the designers was truly outstanding, the judges agreed that Thomas Tait demonstrated immense design flair and a capability for future critical distinction and commercial success. “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,” said Bronwyn Cosgrave. “His curvilinearminimalist, couture-quality approach to tailoring demonstrates a new direction for fashion, which is very exciting. A star is born.”