London-based designer shortlisted for H&M Design Award

Fashion retailer H&M has named a shortlist of eight designers from across Europe for its second H&M Design Award 2013. Maia Bergman, 24-year-old born in Buenos Aires but now based in London, has been selected alongside finalists from Germany,

France, Italy, Sweden, Denmark, Belgium and Holland.

Bergman, who studied for her BA at Central Saint Martins, was chosen by an H&M jury led by Ann-Sofie Johansson, H&M’s Head of Design, who were impressed with her collection that featured “simple, wearable silhouettes” that “created contrast by decorating them with intricate embellishment”.

The finalists, invited to take part from nineteen design schools in Europe, each wins 5,000 euros, and will compete for the top prize of 50,000 euros, as well as the chance to show their collection at Mercedes-Benz Stockholm Fashion Week on January 29, when the winning name will be revealed.

Additionally, the overall winner will also work with the retailer to develop selected pieces from their collection to be sold in selected H&M stores this autumn.

Commenting on this year’s awards, Johansson said: “I’m so excited by the finalists of this year’s H&M Design Award. The standard of entry was so high, with such creativity, energy and attitude. We started the H&M Design Award to help move fashion forward, and to celebrate and support graduates as they begin their careers. I can’t wait to see what all of our finalists will do in the future.”

Deciding the fate of the finalists will be a grand jury which includes Johansson, fashion designer Jonathan Saunders, editor-at-large of style.com Tim Blanks, photographer Sølve Sundsbø, stylist Leith Clark, blogger and photographer Hanneli Mustaparta, fashion journalist Kristopher Arden Houser, and H&M’s Creative Advisor Margareta van den Bosch.

This year’s awards will also feature a People’s Prize, where the public can vote for their favourite finalist via the awards website, the winning designer will win the opportunity to intern in Jonathan Saunders' studio in London.

Image: Maia Bergman