Ben Pollitt of Friedrich Gray was named the fashion winner of the Qantas Spirit of Youth Awards.
The SOYA Awards honour young talent under 25 in the areas of music, photography, film, industrial design and visual arts along with fashion and aim to provide mentors who are leaders in the field.
Peter Morrissey judged the final 50 fashion entrants and will mentor Pollitt in developing his label.
"I've always known I can design and be creative," Pollitt said, "I just need to know more about the nuts and bolts of running a business and getting financing."
(This excerpt is from a piece by Jen Melocco that appeared in the Daily Telegraph.)
www.friedrichgray.com
The Qantas Spirit of Youth Awards [SOYA], the leading award for Australia’s best emerging artists, designers, and creatives, can now reveal the 18 very talented finalists competing across six categories in SOYA07.
Over the past four years SOYA has been instrumental in uncovering the best emerging artists, musicians, designers and filmmakers Australia has to offer. The Qantas Spirit of Youth Awards recognise excellence and innovation, and give talented young Australians the financial and professional support they need to share their talents with the world.
This year over 4 600 young, creative Australians (25 or under) entered over 32 000 works into SOYA’s six creative categories. They were all eager to have their work assessed by internationally-renowned, industry-leading mentors (like Bruce Beresford, Marc Newson and Peter Morrissey) and, of course, they could all think of some creative uses for $5 000 in cash and $5 000 in flights from Qantas.
Two of the finalists for the Fashion category are Friedrich Gray and Romance was Born so we're keeping fingers and toes crossed for them both for the 22nd November when the winner will be announced!
ANNA PLUNKETT
Anna Plunkett (label Romance Was Born - above top) is a 25 year old designer from Sydney (originally from Albury) who has turned down an internship with John Galliano, dressed rockstars from Cyndi Lauper, M.I.A to Lily Allen, and presented Romance Was Born (with partner Luke Sales) in their debut Australian Fashion Week show this year. “It’s really difficult to meet older/experienced people within the fashion industry to get advice from when you’re just starting out! A mentor to be there would be most helpful in finding contacts and advice in business structure and different design solutions.” Anna Plunkett, Fashion Finalist
BEN POLLITT
Ben Pollitt (label Friedrich Grey, above bottom) is a 25 year old self-taught designer from Sydney whose dark aesthetic and eye for luxury fabrications has combined in label Friedrich Grey. In April this year, Ben presented his own off-schedule fashion show during Australian Fashion Week, and was named by retailer Belinda Seper as her top young designer to watch. “I would use the mentorship to ask how to run my business more efficiently. How I can increase my profits with the current sales that I have, how to approach a department store in terms of the diffusion line that I wish to make, using Peter’s extensive experience to find production houses that can handle an increase in production levels that will be needed for the business to grow.” Ben Pollitt, Fashion Finalist
www.soya.com.au
Ben Pollitt of Friedrich Gray was named the fashion winner of the Qantas Spirit of Youth Awards.
