Thomas Tait announced winner of the Dorchester Collection Fashion Prize

Thomas Tait is the winner of the 2010 Dorchester Collection Fashion Prize. It was awarded last night in The Dorchester’s elegant Orchid Room where an intimate gathering of VIP guests mingled with the celebrated Dorchester Collection Fashion Prize judging panel. The judges of the inaugural Dorchester Collection Fashion Prize included Manolo Blahnik, the Hon. Daphne Guinness, milliner Stephen Jones, Yasmin Le Bon, Giles Deacon, Vanity Fair contributing editor Elizabeth Saltzman, ES Magazine’s fashion director Gianluca Longo and Bronwyn Cosgrave, chairperson of the Dorchester Collection Fashion Prize.

Thomas Tait received £25,000 to enable him to create his next collection, as well as accommodation and an event at the Dorchester Collection hotel of his choice. He was one of five shortlisted designers which included Louise Goldin, Mary Katrantzou, Chau Har Lee and Hermione de Paula.

While the standard of all of the designers was truly outstanding, the judges agreed that Thomas Tait demonstrated immense design flair and a capability for future critical distinction and commercial success. “Thomas Tait is only 22 years old but he has a highly original, confident point of view which, ultimately convinced the judges that he was worthy of the prize,” said Bronwyn Cosgrave. “His curvilinear minimalist, couture-quality approach to tailoring demonstrates a new direction for fashion, which is very exciting. A star is born.”

Manolo Blahnik stated: “Thomas has got an incredible couture mind and will come up as one of the few couturiers.”

After meeting with each of the designers and reviewing their collections in The Dorchester's Holford Room, the judges gathered in a Dorchester suite and deliberated on the winner before a spellbinding catwalk presentation commenced the Grand Final event. Meanwhile, gifted shoe designer Chau Har Lee’s daring footwear was exhibited within a specially constructed installation at the foot of the catwalk.

Christopher Cowdray, CEO of Dorchester Collection, said “Dorchester Collection is thrilled to be involved in the support of new fashion talent and we look forward to the continued recognition from the industry with the second Dorchester Collection Fashion Prize in New York next year. We look forward to following the success of all the designers we have seen today and that this prize provides Thomas Tait with the springboard needed to launch a hugely successful fashion career.”