Established in 2001 PROFILE is a static trade show and catwalk theatre, showcasing the very best ladies wear & accessory designers. Originally a government funded project supported by the London Development Agency with the London Fashion Forum Profile is the much-needed platform between Graduate Fashion Week and London Fashion Week. Every designer wants, and aims, to show at London Fashion Week, however, it is fiercely competitive and expensive to show at LFW with only a few designers securing financial sponsorship. PROFILE aims to assist designers with their design and business skills, building a platform for them to progress to London Fashion Week. Profile is also supported by the UK’s leading fashion portal www.fashioncapital.co.uk. Profile is the place to see new and emerging designers.
Each year designers are promoted to press, buyers, stylists and the generic fashion industry. FashionCapital works closely with a host of retailers and etailers such as Debenhams, Topshop, Hobbs, asos.com and House of Fraser, ensuring that the designers are showcased to the best in the business.
PROFILE has grown tremendously since the launch in February 2001. At the first event of Profile the audience stood at 900 and it increased to 1,500 at Profile 3. This continued to grow with over 36,000 visitors viewing Profile at Clothes Show Live in 2009. Profile has helped launch designers such as Alice Palmer, who was a finalist at Fashion Fringe in 2010, Angel Jackson, Hemyca, Samantha Cole London and Elizabeth Lau, all who now showcase at London Fashion Week.
Most recently, Profile was held at One Marylebone, London on November 10th 2011 and showcased 20 exciting designers. The event also marked the first celebrity partnership between FashionCapital and Lauren Goodger, off The Only Way is Essex.
Director Jenny Holloway commented, ‘The 10 year anniversary event of Profile was the best yet. The standard of designers were superb and has attracted the eye of many buyers who attended. Profile is a real celebration of new and emerging quality designer talent. Congratulations to all involved’
Profile has also presented awards in association with different retailers. These include the Womenswear and Accessories award with Hobbs, and the Menswear award with Debenhams which returned in 2011 to see TOT and Posthuman Wardrobe win the award and have an 8 piece collection in two Debenhams stores.
What They Had to Say:
“It’s always really exciting to come and see emerging talent…I think the thing that was particularly good was the variety of product that was on show this evening across garments, accessories and particularly the swimwear.”
Caren Downie, Buying Director of Asos.com, on Profile at The Mayfair Hotel 2010
“Profile is as good as.., if not better than LFW.”
The Late Nicholas Samuel MD Hobbs
“Profile showcased some great young talent in fashion and accessories, as part of the first Fashion Expo event. This was a great opportunity for these new entrepreneurs to make fresh contacts and connect with both fashion buyers and small production units.” Joyce Thornton, New Generation Editor WGSN
“What I like about Profile is that it’s about new talent unlike shows like London Fashion Week that are about established designers.” Caroline Withey, Buying Director BrandAlley
“It really is a platform for design talent. Many of our students, when they graduate go abroad to work, they are working in design studious for people like Ralph Lauren, Prada, Donna Karen, you name it. That’s why it’s important for companies like Profile to sponsor and back young talent……there is a future for the British Fashion Industry” Hilary Alexander, Fashion Editor The Daily Telegraph
"NY Profile at Nolcha Fashion Week was a fantastic showcase for talented British designers. It was a privilege to see UK design gracing the New York fashion scene. I'm sure those involved will leave their mark here and will do a lot of business in the future with New York." Dominic Meiklejohn OBE, Deputy Consul-General of the British Consulate
“This is my first ever catwalk show; I didn't even have a show at university. I have found this whole Profile event a brilliant experience and I have learnt so much that it makes all the hard work and the long hours totally worth it. This opportunity of coming to New York has been invaluable and I know how hard everyone has worked at Fashion Enter. I just think this is what designers really need today - the chance to show in quality events such as Profile.” Alice Palmer, designer at New York Profile
“I made so many contacts and was so pleased with how everything looked. I have had some good emails and calls over the past week, so even busier than before the show…brilliant all round!” Rachel Antonio, designer at Profile 2011
