31 Oct 2013
Huishan Zhang is the winner of the 2013 Dorchester Collection Fashion Prize. The award was bestowed to the designer Tuesday night at The Dorchester after a catwalk show featuring the four shortlisted designers of the prize. Huishan Zhang was presented with an endowment of £25,000 from Dorchester Collection's chief executive officer Christopher Cowdray, along with an engraved Baccarat crystal trophy and a stay at a Dorchester Collection property, and in a new element launched this year, the prospect of one-to-one mentoring from a selection of the judges.
The esteemed judges of the 2013 Dorchester Collection Fashion Prize present at the final included Frederic Aranda, fashion and portrait photographer; Lorenz Baumer, jewellery designer; Derek Blasberg, best-selling author and fashion writer; Fabia Di Drusco, features editor of L'Uomo Vogue; Jean-Pierre Greff, director of Geneva's School of Art and Design; Daniella Helayel, founder of Issa; Stephen Jones, milliner; Nicholas Oakwell, couture designer; Margherita Perico, personal stylist, fashion consultant, writer and international speaker; Rupert Sanderson, shoe designer; and Stephen Webster, jewellery designer.
The grand final was an opportunity for the talented shortlisted designers - Barbara Casasola, Fyodor Golan, Emilia Wickstead and Huishan Zhang - to present their designs at a catwalk show to the assembled audience of judges and international VIP guests and media. After deliberation, the judges agreed that the collection displayed by Huishan Zhang best evoked the spirit of individuality, luxury, style, innovation and craftsmanship, which epitomise Dorchester Collection's iconic hotels.
"We have been truly inspired and impressed by the creativity and craftmanship displayed by our talented shortlisted designers. Dorchester Collection has a long standing illustrious association with fashion and in launching its Fashion Prize became the first luxury hotel company to bestow such a prestigious award. We are delighted to help a burgeoning young brand at this critical time of its growth whilst strengthening Dorchester Collection's ties to the fashion world. Huishan Zhang will undoubtedly have a thriving career, as have the previous winners," said Christopher Cowdray, Dorchester Collection's chief executive officer. "I was thrilled to be back on the judging panel of the Dorchester Collection Fashion Prize. What I love about this award is both meeting fresh talent from around the world and perhaps changing the life of a designer. But it wasn't easy. We had the fortunate problem of being spoiled with good choices. Congratulations to Huishan Zhang!" said judge Derek Blasberg.
Commenting on the prize, Huishan Zhang said: "This is a true encouragement and I'm thrilled with all the support I have received. The Dorchester Collection Fashion Prize means the world to me and it will help me move forward and better structure my next collection. This is a pivotal point in my career."
Carol Joy London created the make-up look for the models at the final. After the winner's announcement, VIP guests, designers and models toasted the winner with Laurent-Perrier champagne at a drinks reception in The Dorchester's Ballroom.
High resolution images of the 2013 Dorchester Collection Fashion Prize grand final are available at
www.image.net
Notes to editors:
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DorchesterCollection Fashion Prize Blog - http://www.dorchestercollection.com/en/fashion-prize
Huishan Zhang
Chinese-born,
London-based designer and Central Saint Martins' graduate Huishan Zhang has created a luxurious brand where eastern heritage meets western influence. He was hand-picked by Delphine Arnault to work in the house of Dior whilst still a student. London's V&A museum has selected his couture "Dragon Dress" to become a permanent piece in the T.T. TSUI gallery - making him the first Chinese contemporary fashion designer to receive this honour.
Dorchester Collection
Dorchester Collection is a portfolio of the world's foremost luxury hotels in Europe and the USA, each of which reflects the distinctive culture of its destination. By applying its unrivalled experience and capability in owning and operating some of the greatest individual hotels, the company's mission is to develop an impeccable group of the finest landmark hotels through acquisition as well as management of wholly-owned and part-owned hotels, and to enter into management agreements. The current portfolio includes the following hotels (in order of them joining the group): The Dorchester, London; The Beverly Hills Hotel, Beverly Hills; Le Meurice, Paris; Hôtel Plaza Athénée, Paris; Hotel Principe di Savoia, Milan; Hotel Bel-Air, Los Angeles; Coworth Park, Ascot, UK; 45 Park Lane, London; Le Richemond, Geneva and Hotel Eden, Rome.
For further information on Dorchester Collection
please contact:
Olivia Johnson or Victoria Henson at Peretti Communications
Telephone: 020 7244 1930
