And the Fashion Scout SS16 Merit Award Winner is...

Katie Roberts-Wood has been named as the recipient of the Fashion Scout Spring/Summer 2016 Merit Award, marking the start of her fashion career. Graduating from the Royal College of Art in 2014, Roberts-Wood has already won the Collection of the Year Award at the 2014 International Talent Support (ITS) Scheme for her critically acclaimed collection 'Synch.'

Roberts-Wood receives the Fashion Scout SS16 Merit Award

"Katie’s graduate collection was outstanding and deserved all the international attention," commented Fashion Scout’s founder and creative director Martyn Roberts. "The new collection she is developing for the Merit Award builds on this experimentation, taking her creativity to a new level." Roberts-Wood was selected as the winner from a group of over 200 emerging designers from across the globe who applied, following in the footsteps of former winners which include the likes of David Koma, Eudon Choi and Phoebe English.

By winning the Merit Award, Roberts-Wood has received a fully sponsored catwalk show during London Fashion Week as well as presenting in Fashion Scout London and Paris. Her new collection is set to be launched under the Roberts|Wood label, with focus on construction technique and manipulation of materials and driven by her inspiration of nature and science.

Now in its 19th season, the London Fashion Week initiative is in search for the next generation of designers to make their mark on the international fashion scene. The Merit Award is worth 25,000 pounds spread over three seasons, during which the winning designer will showcase their collections during LFW, as well as receive mentoring and support.