10 October 2012

Hayley Scanlan to launch new collection at 'selling dreams'

picture shows 'sneak preview of 'Velvet Venom' the new collection from HS by Hayley Scanlan'. More pics are available). Scottish Young Designer of the Year, Dundee-based Hayley Scanlan, will launch the very first collection from her new diffusion line 'HS'on November 3rd with an event at The McManus: Dundee's Art Gallery and Museum.

'Velvet Venom' is the first diffusion collection from Hayley, produced to cope with intense demand for her work, which has become a favourite of stars including Jessie J and Little Mix. It features her trademark simple silhouettes combined with striking detail and embellishment.

The collection will be unveiled against a backdrop of some of the world's greatest fashion images, currently on display at The McManus as part of the `Selling Dreams: 100 Years of Fashion Photography' exhibition.

The launch event, which features a living catwalk, is being supported by V&A at Dundee.

HS will be available to buy through a new dedicated website - www.hayleyscanlan.com - from 3rd November.

Hayley was named Young Designer of the Year at the Scottish Fashion Awards in June. It was the latest step in a burgeoning career that launched in dramatic fashion when supermodel Erin O'Connor asked to buy one of her jackets at her Degree Show at Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art & Design, part of the University of Dundee.

The past year has seen interest in her work rise to a new level and the HS diffusion line has been created to help meet demand.

"I am getting new enquiries all the time - Azealia Banks tweeted me the other day - and the demand has been unbelievable," said Hayley.

"This new collection is a different direction for me. My main line is aimed more at the higher end of the market, and I will continue to do that. But I also wanted to make something available that was perhaps more appealing to a wider audience, and - I'm proud to say - made in Britain.

"HS is still clothes for nights out, for standing out from the crowd, for making an entrance, but slightly more practical and affordable."

Director of V&A at Dundee, Philip Long, said, "Hayley is a shining example of what can be achieved with talent, determination and drive. We are delighted to be able to help promote her work and bring it to a wider audience. Nurturing and promoting Scotland's new generation of design talent is vital to V&A at Dundee and we hope this collaboration with an upcoming designer will be the first of many.

"We very much appreciate the support of The McManus and local students and businesses on the production of the show and are grateful for their backing in bringing this fabulous event to fruition."

Hayley has established a studio in Dundee and now has five intern staff helping her. She is also an official Ambassador for the city.

Further local talent is being used to produce the show including Beauty and Make Up students from Dundee College and staff from Spoiled Hairdressing in Cupar. A call for models will be released via Facebook and Twitter later this week.

NOTES TO EDITORS

Selling Dreams: One Hundred Years of Fashion Photography is organised by the Victoria & Albert Museum, London as one of a series of partnership projects forming the pre-opening programme for V&A at Dundee.

The exhibition features work by giants of twentieth century photography including Edward Steichen, Irving Penn, Richard Avedon, Helmut Newton and David Bailey, alongside contemporary images by Miles Aldridge, Corinne Day, Rankin, Tim Walker and Steven Meisel.

Exhibition runs from Friday 28 September to Sunday 6 January at The McManus: Dundee's Art Gallery & Museum l Albert Square | Meadowside | Dundee | DD1 1DA | Scotland

V&A at Dundee
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The Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) awarded it a first round pass* of up to £9.2m, including £200,000 development funding, in May 2102. The Scottish Government has committed £15m in capital towards the project's £45million budget. www.vandaatdundee.com

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