Roland Mouret and Claudia Schiffer announced as judges for Fashion Fringe 2011

News just landed: Roland Mouret and Claudia Schiffer have been announced as the brand new judges for Fashion Fringe 2011.

Fashion Fringe is a business platform set up for aspiring fashion designers in 2004 by Colin McDowell and IMG – launching new British fashion talent and teaching them how to ultimately run a successful label in this super competitive industry.

This year the panel sees new-comers Claudia Schiffer and Roland Mouret join the judging team, alongside Anne Pitcher from Selfridges, Roy Peach from the London College of Fashion and Bel Jacobs from the Metro.

Roland Mouret said, “It’s not just exciting, but also very relevant to feel part of Fashion Fringe where so many young talents take their journey in this amazing, frustrating world of fashion. What’s better than to have Colin McDowell as a Fairy God Mother?”

The business initiative has helped launch the careers of Basso & Brooke, Erdem and Corrie Nielsen in the past, and no doubt the latest batch of hopefuls will compete just as hard for the judge’s seal of fashionable approval – which is something Ms. Schiffer is most proud to be a part of.

“I have watched Fashion Fringe grow from strength to strength over the past few years, and am delighted to be able to add my support this year,” she says. “Fashion Fringe is a fantastic business platform for any aspiring designer, and I look forward to helping some of London’s creative design talent thrive and grow over the coming months.”

Entries are open until May 4th with a shortlist of designers announced soon after. The winner will then go on to show their first collection at London Fashion Week spring/summer 2012 this September, as well as gaining instant acknowledgement from the industry and a two year development package, which includes a mixture of cash, business advice, mentoring and an equipped studio at Somerset House.