UK finalist for H&M award unveiled

Stine Riis, a 28-year-old graduate from the London College of Fashion, has been named as the UK finalist of the H&M Design Award 2012. Her collection was chosen by a jury of British fashion experts, which included Emma Sells of Elle.co.uk and Cat Callender of The Daily, who all praised Stine for ‘the maturity and modernity of her designs’.

As the UK winner, Stine will receive a cash prize of €5,000, and will join finalists from five other countries to compete for the global H&M Design Award prize of €50,000, and the chance to show the winning collection at Stockholm’s Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week.

“Stine really stood out because her collection was really modern. It had a good balance between something that felt new, but at the same time was also really commercial, and you just wanted to have it. She showed very good craftsmanship, and lots of ideas in one collection. It was very strong,” said Ann-Sofie Johansson, H&M’s head of design.

“It’s very exciting. There are so many talented students in Britain, so for me to be chosen to represent the UK is a really big deal. My dream is to start my own label, and getting selected for this competition gives me the confidence to keep going. It’s a really great experience from which I can learn so much,” added Stine Riis.

The H&M Design Award is a new annual initiative to support and encourage the future stars of fashion.