On|Off in partnership with Land Rover “Driving Design Innovation” announce their On|Off Land Rover Visionary Award Winner

Thursday, 15 December 2011 11:12

On|Off and Land Rover are pleased to announce Cunnington and Sanderson as the Winners of the On|Off Land Rover Visionary Award.

Cunnington and Sanderson: "We are very happy to have been selected for the On|Off Land Rover Visionary Award.  We are delighted to have this amazing opportunity to showcase our Amygdala Collection during Paris fashion week." 

In 2006 On|Off created the Visionary Award in order to promote and showcase new designer talent and support their businesses. Previous Visionary Award winners include some of the leading UK-based fashion names: Charlie Le Mindu, Louise Amstrup, Hannah Marshall, Sinha Stanic and Peter Pilotto.

On December 2nd 2011 On|Off and Land Rover’s specialist panel met the shortlisted designers (Thomas Wakeford, Raphaelle H’Limi, Naco Paris and Cunnington and Sanderson) to decide the winner. The exclusive panel included: Lee Lapthorne (Owner and Founder of On|Off), Tuuli (Creative Director, Rankin’s wife and muse), Katie Grand (Editor-in-Chief of Love Magazine), Claire Ginzler (On|Off’s Fashion Director), Brigitte Stepputtis (Head of Vivienne Westwood’s Couture Operations), Roksanda Ilincic (Fashion Designer), Jane Shepherdson (CEO of Whistles), Sarah Bailey (Deputy Editor at Harper’s Bazaar), Richard Agnew (Land Rover Global PR Manager), Laura Schwab (Land Rover UK Marketing Director) and Joanne Slater (Land Rover Design Manager).

Cunnington and Sanderson will receive £5000 cash injection towards their business, specialist support in creating their first ever international catwalk show on the On|Off Paris schedule at Espace Commines and invaluable one-to-one mentoring sessions with the panel members.

Katie Grand: “I'm really thrilled to be asked in the selection for On|Off. I've always respected their taste in designers and think they have a completely unique vision, which is interesting and slightly subversive.

This year's winner, Cunnington and Sanderson are new stars in the making. Their presentation was professional and thought provoking.

I wish them the very best of luck for the future.” 

Lee Lapthorne: "What an amazing opportunity Cunnington and Sanderson have in being mentored by a Steering Committee as accomplished as these individuals, surely a recipe for success?"

Tuuli: “It was so hard to choose a winner from four extremely talented designers but I fell in love with Cunnington and Sanderson's vision and the superbly intricate construction of their pieces. I was also very excited by their proposed concept for their AW12 collection.”

Claire Ginzler: "Cunnington and Sanderson are a duo who clearly show devotion to their collection. Their passion, creativity and dedication is apparent in every piece. What stands out also is their impressive technical ability, experimental draping and fabric manipulation. On|Off is happy to play a part in the future of their success."

Jane Shepherdson: “Cunnington and Sanderson are a real talent, and have created exquisite pieces that fold and drape around the wearer in a thoroughly modern way.”

Sarah Bailey: "Cunnington and Sanderson combine a seductively otherworldly aesthetic with razorsharp cutting and construction. Peter Pilotto, Meadham Kirchoff... is this the new star duo of young British fashion? Quite possibly."

Moreover, On|Off and Land Rover were so impressed with the finalists that they have offered support to each, to showcase as part of their international Paris schedule. Details to be announced.