AN Edinburgh based fashion designer has been revealed as the winner of the 2010 Jolomo Arts & Crafts PSYBT Award.
Bespoke womenswear designer, Judith R Clark (26), was presented with a £3,000 cash prize by renowned Scottish contemporary artist, John Lowrie Morrison [Jolomo] at the awards, which are organised by The Prince’s Scottish Youth Business Trust (PSYBT).
The runners-up were Lauren Crawford (25) who lives in Fife and designs handwoven textiles, and Dundee based silversmith Genna Delaney (29).
The Jolomo PSYBT Awards were launched in March 2008 with the help of a £10,000 donation from Jolomo to inspire more young people with arts and crafts backgrounds living in North West Scotland and the Highlands and Islands to set up their own businesses.
This year, the awards and the prize money were extended to include eligible arts and crafts businesses throughout Scotland.
Judy Clark completed her internship with fashion designer, Alexander McQueen, in London in 2006 and she now runs her own successful fashion studio in Haymarket in Edinburgh, thanks to funding and advice from PSYBT.
Her bespoke designs, which have been showcased in the UK, New York and Tokyo, are made using Scottish wools and Harris Tweed, which is sent from the Hebrides by her great-uncle Donald who produces hand woven cloth on his loom in Shawbost.
As well as being inspired by her Scottish heritage, Judy’s travels also influence her designs and choice of fabrics, which include exclusive Nepali hand carved buttons, hand-dyed silks, vintage lace and other trinkets collected from foreign shores.
Last year, she was nominated designer of the year at the Scottish Style Awards 2009.
Lauren Crawford graduated from Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design in Dundee in 2008 and less than a year later she was able to set up her own design business thanks to funding and advice from PSYBT.
The young designer specialises in unique fabrics and fashion accessories for all occasions including scarves, collars, wedding shawls, and garters in luxury silks and woollen fibres.
All her accessories are made by hand using a combination of traditional and innovative weaving structures and techniques to complete each signature item.
She regularly exhibits her work in galleries throughout the UK and New York, where she recently sold designs to Macy’s department store.
Ms Crawford has established a studio in Fife and is designer in residence at Duncan of Jordanstone College.
Jewellery designer and silversmith, Genna Delaney, established her business with help from PSYBT in April 2007.
Based in the Wasps artist studios in Dundee, Ms Delaney produces handcrafted award winning designs and one off pieces.
Architecture is a major influence in her work which features geometric designs and the Scottish landscape inspires some of the curves and shapes of her pendants.
In the future, she hopes to run her own retail outlets and a workshop where she can teach jewellery making techniques.
Commenting Mark Strudwick, chief executive of PSYBT, said: “Thanks to our partnership with Jolomo we are able to increase the support we provide to young people who want to turn their craft into a viable business and today’s winners are terrific examples of the commercial success that can be achieved as a result.”
Congratulating the winner and runners-up, John Lowrie Morrison said: “Scotland has an enormously talented individuals working in the arts and crafts sector and I feel very privileged to be involved in assisting young people and encouraging them to pursue their artistic career ambitions.”
ENDS
For media information please contact Jen Nash, Panache Communications Tel 0141 589 0514/07971 466220/Email jen@panachecommunications.co.uk
Alternatively please contact Margaret Gibson or Emma Fitzpatrick on Tel no. 0141 248 4999 or visit the PSYBT website at www.psybt.org.uk
NOTE TO EDITORS:
Judy Clark 07933658642 /www.judyrclark.com
Genna Design, 07793 291050
http://www.gennadelaney.com
Lauren Crawford, 07783596216
http://www.laurencrawford.co.uk
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Contact: Jen Nash
Phone: 07971 466 220
Email: jen@panachecommunications.co.uk
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