Thomas Tait up for prestigious prize

Canadian-born, British-based designer Thomas Tait, who was the youngest student to ever graduate the MA in women’s wear from Central Saint Martin’s college has been nominated for this year’s prestigious ANDAM prize, the world's biggest

international fashion prize.

Tait, who showcased his fourth collection during London Fashion Week in February, is up against fellow designers Cédric Charlier, Vika Gazinskaya, Julien David, Calla Haynes, and Nicolas Andreas Taralis, who all present during Paris Fashion Week.

The winner will be selected on July 5 and the prizes include a total of €230k and Swarovski crystals worth €10k to be used in the winner’s spring/summer 2013 collection; and sponsor Canada’s leading department store, Hudson’s Bay Company, has pledged to buy the winning collection. As well as the financial award, the winner will receive mentoring support for two seasons from Pierre-Yves Roussel, CEO of LVMH's fashion division.

If Tait wins he will follow in the footsteps of other British-based designers who have scooped the prestigious prize, including Gareth Pugh, Giles Deacon and Hakaan.

The finalists will be judged by ANDAM sponsors and industry professionals, including: Delphine Arnault, deputy managing director of Christian Dior; Pierre Bergé; Nadja Swarovski; Emmanuelle Alt; Lisa Armstrong; and Pierre-Yves Roussel, CEO of the fashion division, LVMH.

The six finalists will also be given the opportunity to raise their International profile, as this year the exclusive online retail partner of ANDAM thecorner.com, will sell their autumn/winter 2012 collections exclusively from September.

Additionally, the four finalists for the First Collections Award have been revealed as Calla Haynes, Simon Jacquemus, Céline Méteil and Pièce d'Anarchive, with the winner scooping the €60k price.
Last year's ANDAM prize was won by Parisian-based talent Anthony Vaccarello.

Image: Thomas Tait