Smiley Future Positive Creators Fund®
Following our 50th Anniversary year, and born out of Smiley Originals' sustainability initiative, corresponding to our partnership with the United Nations to deliver UN-SDG Goal 12: responsible production and consumption.
Smiley Originals launched the Smiley Future Positive Creators Fund® comprised of £500k monetary funding per year monetary funding and a mentorship program to support game-changing designers to switch to a better, more responsible and circular ideology of design, sourcing and manufacture.
AHLUWALIA
Ahluwalia, a label that combines elements from the designer's dual Indian-Nigerian heritage and London roots, is known for their pioneering approach to using sustainable materials and surplus clothing otherwise headed to landfill.
Inspired by art, music and literature, Ahluwalia's collections always push the boundaries of what's possible in fashion and the collaboration collection with Smiley Originals, produced with the support of the new Future Creators Fund, is heavily based around music culture.
Ahluwalia's collections are available in some of the world's most renowned fashion stores, including Matches Fashion, Browns, Selfridges, Bergdorf Goodman, Ssense and Nordstrom.
Check out her brand online now at Ahluwalia.World
AGR KNIT
Smiley® is proud to announce our partnership with AGR, the luxury knitwear brand founded by south London designer Alicia Robinson.
Founded in 2019, AGR has quickly established itself as a leading voice in the world of modern knitwear with collections inspired by the diverse culture of the city, music and the rave scene.
Drawing on inspiration from the city’s diverse culture and a strong desire to challenge traditional knitwear themes, AGR is always experimenting with different fibres and new technical processes to create contemporary, sustainable and wearable pieces.
Check out AGR online now here at www.agrknit.com
Chet Lo
Chet Lo is an Asian American designer and 2020 graduate of Central Saint Martins' BA Knitwear course. Hailing from New York City, Lo first came to London in 2015 to attend Saint Martins. It was there that Lo became fascinated with textiles and the endless possibilities and innovation that knitwear could bring.
Following the success of his first collections, Lo has gone on to join the roster of young talent at Fashion East, where his debut was received with critical acclaim, and has since joined the British Fashion Council’s NEWGEN scheme.
Lo's work has been featured in magazines including Vogue, L’Officiel, W, The Face Garage, Schön, Marie Claire, Crack and Dazed, and worn by cultural innovators: Dua Lipa, Kendall & Kylie Jenner, Doja Cat, SZA, Kali Uchis, Micaela Coel, Willow Smith and many more.
Check out Chet Lo online now here at www.chetlo.com
Kevin Germanier
Former Louis Vuitton designer Kevin Germanier launched his 2018 debut with his Central Saint Martins' graduate collection with a focus on luxury upcycled fabrics with arresting details, such as discarded glass beads that the designer found during a work placement in Hong Kong which was a prize for winning the EcoChic Design Award in 2015.
Germanier rejects the homespun connotations for which eco-friendly fashion is known and instead draws inspiration from a futuristic vision of utopia. Look out for sculptural jackets, glitter-strewn dresses and sharply spliced skirts.
Check out Kevin Germanier online now here at kevingermanier.com
Rich Mnisi
RICH MNISI is a South African based multi-disciplinary brand founded in 2015 by Rich Mnisi. The brand was born from Mnisi’s yearning to connect deeper with his unique culture and heritage and tell a compelling story through his art.
Having collaborated with iconic brands Adidas and Coca Cola, RICH MNISI is known for clashing print design. Each RICH MNISI collection presents a distinct point of view, celebrating culture, heritage and the common human experience, all this packaged in extremist yet minimalist structures which are rooted in innovative design and superior craftsmanship.
Check out RICH MNISI online now here a www.richmnisi.com
SHUTING QIU
Shuting Qiu was born in Hangzhou, studied in Antwerp, presented her collections in New York and Milan and now lives and works in Shanghai.
Shuting Qiu is an extremely recognisable brand, with a vivid colour palette that evokes excitement and always catches attention and asymmetry and experimental silhouettes that make powerful feminine designs.
The garments are constructed from recyclable materials which are made from old plastic bottles and upcycled fabrics otherwise headed to landfill - the designer strives to make a commitment to sustainability in the fashion industry. Shuting Qui has also used old stock to create its collections.
Check out Shuting Qiu online now here at instagram.com/shutingqiu
