Aminaka Wilmont win Fashion Fringe 2007

Design duo Aminaka Wilmont have been chosen as the winners in 2007's Fashion Fringe competition and the pair were delighted when they were presented with the prize trophy designed by Manolo Blanik and presented by Tom Ford. Fashion Fringe's founder, Colin McDowell, welcomed guests to the event which was held in a double venue in Covent Garden.

The first part was the show itself where we got to see the collections created by this year's four finalists, (Graeme Armour, Andrea McWha, De-jan and winners Aminaka Wilmont) in a marquee set up in Covent Garden Piazza. Then after the show, guests which included a very chatty Naomi Campbell, walked across the Piazza to another venue for champagne and nibbles whilst awaiting the result.

Fashion Fringe was set up by esteemed fashion writer Colin McDowell in 2004 to help new designers get their businesses started and for the first year the prize money was a wapping £100k. Basso and Brooke scooped the first award, then Erdem in 2005 and last year Birmingham-born Gavin Douglas. Gavin, Bruno Basso and Chris Brooke all attended the show. Gavin was delighted to tell us about how he came to make his own shoes this season and Basso and Brooke gave us the lowdown on The Memphis Collective, which they, along with Jonathan Saunders and Spijkers and Spijkers have all quoted as inspirations this season.

Aminaka Wilmont met whilst working for Robert-Carey Williams and set up their own name label two years ago. Wedding bells could be ringing soon, apparently the partners told Colin McDowell that they would get married if they won! They will receive support and funding (worth we're told in the region of £100k but this is no longer given as a cash prize and the organisers no longer reveal what money is given directly to the winners) including mentoring and business advice.

Words & photo: Marian Buckley