Brighter, Younger Things

AFTER the success of their 2011 campaign, Selfridges returns with the second installment of their pioneering Bright Young Things scheme. The project features a total of fifteen UK-based emerging designers from the fashion, art and design and food industries.

From 6 January 2012 until the end of February, each Bright Young Thing will be offered either an Oxford Street or a Duke Street facing window and the sole brief of encapsulating the true core of their work within this small space. With over a million passers-by a week, the lucky few have a money-can't-buy opportunity showcase their talent on enormous scale. 

2012’s just announced Bright Young Things are:

WOMENSWEAR
This year five womenswear designers have been included, each of which offer an inspiring and fresh addition to the contemporary fashion market. Selfridges womenswear Alex Iancovici explains, “Our final five offer a great mix of wearable and directional a looks.”

Sorcha O'Raghallaigh

• Sorcha O’Raghallaigh – A unique merge of Gaelic detailing with pre-Raphaelite silhouettes. The line is playful, yet nostalgic, other-worldy, yet totally wearable.
• Adam Andrascik – The one-and-a-half-year-old label focuses on detailing and deconstruction, with edge-driven finishings.
• Maarten van der Horst –  Surrealism is the order of the day here, with a John Waters-inspired collection of Hawaiian shirts and embroidered nylon petticoats.
• Alice Lee – Vauxhall Fashion Scout’s Ones To Watch in 2012, the Alice Lee line is the brainchild of couple Lee Farmer and Alice Smith. Although the collection primarliy breathes couture, it remains wearble through a strong background in street wear (Lee has worked for streetwear label Guerillawear, Replay and Closed).
• MASC – Founded by design duo Duncan Shaw and Billy Yick, minimalism and unorthodox silhouettes make for a collection which is as chic as it is edgy.

Maarten van der Horst

MENSWEAR

• Shaun Samson
• Astrid Anderson
• William Richard Green
• Alex Mattson

ACCESSORIES

• Oliver Ruuger – accessories designer
• T.lipop – menswear and accessories designer

ART & DESIGN

• Becky Sloan – artist and propmaker
• Tinker & Tailor – artists and interior designers
• Archie McLeish – graphic illustrator and product designer
• Nuha Razik – photographer

Archie McLeisch

FOOD

• Jack Coleman – coffee roaster

The Bright Young Things’ products will be available to buy from three pop up shops in store as well as online at Selfridges.com.