Gareth Pugh, 26, has won the ANDAM FashionAward, worth 150,000 Euros and will now show at Paris fashion week, moving away from London's beleaguered event.
In the Telegraph (UK) Nathalie Dufour, founder and director of ANDAM said: "I am absolutely delighted Gareth hasbeen selected as the 2008 winner. His selection also shows the commitment ofParis and its institutions to attract exceptional talents and remain the trueinternational fashion capital."
The award is supported by a group of influential fashion industry stalwarts including the Pierre Bergé and Yves SaintLaurent Foundation, the LVMH (Louis Vuitton Moet Hennessy) Group, Yves SaintLaurent/Gucci Group and Swarovski along with the French Ministry of Industry and the French Ministry of Culture.
Many Australian designers head overseas to find fame and fortune, such as Alice McCall, Thurley and Michelle Jank. The Brits increasingly are doing the same. Designers such asJohn Galliano, Alexander McQueen and Hussein Chalayan all now show in Paris to attract major buyers and media covreage in the home of couture.
Pugh, who graduated from Central Saint Martins Fashion College in London in 2003, is a favourite of the world's fashion elite and has featured on a House of Holland T-shirt. His catwalk debut was at the London Fashion Week fringe event, Fashion East, held in the East End of London in 2005. The following year, with support from Topshop, he became part of the official LFW calendar.
He added "Showing atLondon Fashion Week has been amazing and my thanks go out to everyone who hassupported me. Now, to be able to enjoy the international platform of Paris willpropel my business even further."