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William Tempest is the first ever recipient of the Vauxhall Fashion Scout Merit Award selected by a panel of industry experts. After graduating from London College of Fashion, the Cheshire-born chap worked with Giles Deacon for four seasons before heading to Paris where he worked for the legendary Jean Charles de Castelbajac.
Backstage before his show, Tempest was ultra calm and collected. "It's such a great platform for young designers because I think in London it is quite difficult to get a platform to show your work and to actually get recognised so it is amazing that I am the first recipient of the Vauxhall Award." For a designer struggling on a budget, help with costs is crucial. "It means that I get a free catwalk show for my first season and then I have the opportunity to show with them for another two seasons. The guys involved really want to see the designer they take on grow and develop their label. They've already helped to arrange a collaboration with Sony so it's really good."
William only set up his label last year so his path to London Fashion Week has been speedy. "I don't know really how I have managed to do this so fast. I guess because when I was studying I was working already, it really helped learning to run my own label." As well as gaining valuable experience, William also enjoyed his last job, working at Charles de Castelbajac's studio. "It was great working there because most of his design team are quite young, early 20s and he's quite crazy and lots of fun to work with."
The collection is inspired by Elizabethan England and features stunning abstract diamond prints which change colour in the light, floor-sweeping cinched-waist silk dresses, edgy fitted jackets with the portraits of Henry VIII and Queen Elizabeth I, and beautiful dramatic coats. "My work is quite architectural and I focus a lot on sharp tailoring and shape making." William spent time at Hampton Court studying the paintings and the photographic prints in the collection are taken from "the paintings at Hampton Court." Currently, all William Tempest production takes place in west London which is expensive but he feels "it is really important to use British workers."
"The woman I design for is definitely very confident, she's not scared to wear a crazy shape and she wants to look different." A perfect description of what makes London such a vibrant and vital fashion capital.
More interviews from Fashion Week:
- Paul Smith
- Emma Bell
- Avsh Alom Gur
- Harriet's Muse
Catwalk photos and reports here.
Marian Buckley
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