The ITS 2014 Fashion Collection of the Year and Accessories Collection of the Year came with the opportunity for the winner to present a new collection out of competition at ITS 2015, while standing in the Jury. We want them in the Jury first of all because by putting a young talent among them we remind the other jurors who they are evaluating. In addition, it is a terrific opportunity for the winner. An example of what often happens is finding yourself working as a senior designer for Raf Simons (well, this may happen to all finalists actually).
British designer Katherine Roberts-Wood is last year’s winner of Fashion Collection of the Year and we’ve been in touch with her lately to ask her a couple of questions:
What’s the difference between Katherine before and after ITS? What has changed, both personally and professionally?
Since taking part in ITS, I’m definitely more confident in pursuing my ideas and creativity…The experience has taught me to be more ambitious and bold in my design process, and that sometimes putting yourself in exposing and scary situations can pay off!
Why in your opinion should a young designer enrol in ITS?
You have nothing to lose and potentially everything to gain from enrolling in ITS! If you are given the opportunity to be a finalist, you will have the most incredible experience and meet amazing people… ITS is unique as a platform for young designers, in that it truly values creativity in all its forms.
Have you begun working on the collection you will be presenting out of competition next July (while standing in the ITS FASHION Jury)? Can you share any detail of the concept with us?
Yes I have started developing ideas for the collection, I’m really excited to be showing it in Trieste in July. It’s definitely going to represent an evolution of my ideas and philosophies but I think it will look and feel very different…
Estonian Accessories designer Mirja Pitkaart was the winner of the ITS 2014 Accessories Collection of the Year and we presented her with the same questions:
What’s the difference between Mirja before and after ITS? What has changed, both personally and professionally?
A lot has changed since ITS. It was straight after graduation when I applied so it definitely helped me gain confidence that I am on the right track with what I’m doing. Since then there have also been a few exhibitions, I was nominated for the Young Estonian Designer Award, I had many interviews and features in magazines and an internship that turned into a job in a Parisian fashion house.
Why in your opinion should a young designer enrol in ITS?
I can’t think of a reason why anyone shouldn’t apply. Not only is it the best opportunity to get your work out there but also to meet other young designers, get useful connections for the future and have a great weekend in Trieste.
Have you begun working on the collection you will be presenting out of competition next July (while standing in the ITS ACCESSORIES Jury)? Can you share any detail of the concept with us?
Yes I have been collecting ideas and doing research for a while now and am just about to start working with materials and shapes in 3D. With the new collection I will explore new product and material genres, trying different manufacturing approaches. But as before most pieces will take their shape while in the making.
We’re looking forward to the new creativity these two incredible young women will come up with as much as we look forward to having them in the ITS FASHION and ITS ACCESSORIES juries.
Other articles:
The Seismographer
Exploring the Bounds of Limitation. An interview with former finalist Masha Lamzina about craft, freedom and developing one’s own artistic voice
25 August, 2023
“Masha Lamzina is an interdisciplinary artist working with textiles, installations and clothing, focusing on prints, stencilling and graphic patterns. Masha is also a fashion and textile designer, creating artisanal and unique…
The Seismographer
One Collection, infinite stories: Trauma.
The elaboration of painful experiences through the lens of the ITS Arcademy collection.
03 August, 2023
This is something we’ve often seen over the past two decades in fashion designers who have entered the ITS competition. They embark on creative projects to cope with or process negative…
The Seismographer
How to make a killer fashion portfolio.
7 rules you should follow to hit the mark.
03 July, 2023
Fashion portfolios speak a language of their own. Their architecture and content can be driven by cultural and social markers as diverse as the nations of our planet. The level of…
The Seismographer
Teaching creativity. Interview with Ike Rust, menswear tutor to former ITS winners.
13 February, 2023
In the twenty years of ITS Contest rarely have we seen such consistency in training young designers that would be then be selected as finalists by the ITS Jury, a first…
The Seismographer
ITS Contest names that ring a bell.
Craig Green, David Koma, Liam Fahy and Lee Matthews in the ITS Arcademy Collection.
12 January, 2023
In the history of contemporary fashion, documented through the perspective of the ITS Arcademy Collection, there are designers who made history. Interestingly, it’s not always names that made it through to…