Georgia Hardinge designing for River Island

London-based fashion designer Georgia Hardinge has been selected by high street fashion retailer River Island as the next designer to collaborate with them as part of its Design Forum. Last season saw the retailer partner with William

Tempest in the initiative that gives emerging designers a chance to debut a high street collection and propel their brand in front of a wider audience.

For the third collaboration, the Design Forum is teaming up with Parsons Paris School of Art and Design graduate Hardinge, who is known for her use of abstract prints and architectural structured feminine pieces to create a collection for spring/summer 2013.

For Hardinge’s debut high street range, she has taken inspiration from Swiss surrealist painter and sculptor, H.R. Giger, who was known for depth and movement in his paintings. The 14-piece collection features both clothing and accessories, with statement pieces including a neoprene printed structured hip dress and a printed sleek maxi skirt that comes with a matching top.

Commenting on the collaboration, Hardinge said: “Working with a really strong team of people at River Island has been a great experience; it’s so nice to have lots of people to make my designs a reality.

“It is great to be a part of something so new and I definitely think this is the way forward for the high street, making a luxury product become accessible to all.”

The collection will launch with a short film, which has been created and directed by Alex Turvey and stars Ben Grimes. The film will launch as part of the Fash/On Film series, an initiative devised by the British Fashion Council and River Island, in order to support and develop film in the fashion industry, during London Fashion Week.

Hardinge debut her first collection during London Fashion Week in 2009, and since then she has collaborated with Victoria Secrets and Lancôme, and has seen her designs worn by some of the biggest names in music including Beyoncé, Lady Gaga, Florence Welch and Jessie J.

Hardinge’s Design Forum collection will launch in River Island stores from March and her showpiece dress featured here and that appears in the Fash/On Film video will be auctioned for charity at a later date.

Image: River Island