Macgraw announced as winner of 2016 BT Emerging Fashion Designer Award

3 min read

Macgraw has been announced the winner of the 2016 BT Emerging Fashion Designer Award at the BT Runway For Success event held tonight at the Royal Hall of Industries.

Finalists of the 2015 BT Emerging Fashion Designer Award, Sydney sisters Beth and Tessa MacGraw launched their eponymous label in April 2012. Fusing classic silhouettes with polished, modern lines, Macgraw’s use of beautiful, textural fabrications and luxe yet wearable looks are fast becoming a signature for the label.

Edwina McCann Editor-­‐in-­‐Chief Vogue Australia and Chairman of the Australian Fashion Chamber said: “Macgraw has been a label on the rise for the last couple of years. I am personally very impressed not only by the fashionability of the label’s most recent collections, but the inherent foresight and commercial understanding of Beth and Tessa. They have a very clear vision and know the importance of having a solid business behind the label. I am excited to see what they do with the invaluable resources the BT prize presents them.”

Together with 2016 finalists Pageant and Haryono Setiadi, the standard of entries for the 2016 prize was the most impressive to date. Entries were judged by a panel of esteemed fashion industry professionals, including: Edwina McCann; Designers Sarah-­‐Jane Clarke and Lee Mathews; Beauty Entrepreneur Lindy Klim; and Westpac Chief Compliance Officer & Group General CounselRebecca Lim.

The three finalists were part of an exclusive-­‐to-­‐BT fashion show last night with eight of Australia’s leading designers: Akira, Bianca Spender, Camilla + Marc, Carl Kapp, Carla Zampatti, Gary Bigeni, Ginger and Smart and Manning Cartell.

As the 2016 winner, Macgraw will receive: a $10,000 cash grant, two years of financial planning services provided by BT Financial Group; two return flights to Los Angeles courtesy of Virgin Australia to further their fashion ambitions; backstage hair services for one major fashion event and two look books by TONI&GUY; a one year subscription with new media content business Flaunter; an Australian Fashion Chamber membership and a mentoring session with a fashion industry icon provided by the Australian Fashion Chamber, bringing the total value of the prize to $50,000.

In addition, BT have partnered with Australia’s largest online fashion retailer, THE ICONIC www.theiconic.com.au to offer the Macgraw collection to clients attending the event. 10% of all sales will be donated to Dress for Success a not for profit organisation empowering women in need so they achieve financial independence and self-­‐sufficiency.

The BT Emerging Fashion Designer Award was established in 2013 with the goal of identifying emerging designers and providing support in the form of financial advice and mentoring to help them prepare their business for success. Macgraw joins previous winners: Emma Mulholland (2015), Michael Lo Sordo (2014) and Christopher Esber (2013). The BT Emerging Fashion Designer Award is a partnership between BT Financial Group and the Australian Fashion Chamber.

This information is current as at 07/04/2016.

Gabriella Somervaille
Australian Fashion Chamber
gabriella@sams‐somervaille.com
0401 026 263

Lisa Parrett
lisa.parrett@btfinancialgroup.com
0432 933 796