Christopher Bailey names Haizhen Wang as Fashion Fringe 2012 winner

Up-and-coming designer Haizhen Wang has scooped this year's Fashion Fringe prize

Central Saint Martins fashion graduate Haizhen Wang has been named as the winner of Fashion Fringe 2012.

The China-born London-based designer beat off stiff competition from fellow finalists, Teija Eilola and Vita Gottlieb, to scoop the coveted prize at the Fashion Fringe show at Somerset House during London Fashion Week last night.

This year’s honorary chair of the initiative, Burberry's Christopher Bailey, presented Wang with his award after all three contenders showed their collections. Not only is he crowned this year’s Fashion Fringe winner, but he also receives more than £100,000 in prize money to nurture his label and a fully-equipped studio at Somerset House for the next two years.

Wang said of his win: 'I’m really excited. It’s absolutely fantastic. It’s such an amazing opportunity to win. It’s my career’s turning point. I hope everyone enjoyed the show.'

Bailey added: 'Tonight has been a truly wonderful example of the incredible energy and original creativity flowing through London and Britain at the moment. I was so honoured to chair Fashion Fringe in 2012 and to work with the team to help support and unearth the next generation of exciting designers.

'I am so excited about charting the progress of Haizhen, this is only the start of his journey! His collection showed an incredible level of originality and craftsmanship. The support and nurturing that Fashion Fringe will provide will give Haizhen a strong framework to continue to really grow as a designer.'

Wang, who worked at MaxMara, Boudicca and All Saints before setting up his eponymous label in 2010, follows in the footsteps of Erdem, Basso & Brooke and Corrie Nielsen, who are all previous winners of Fashion Fringe.

Congratulations Haizhen!

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