Announced yesterday, Peter Pilotto won the 2014 British Fashion Council/Vogue Designer Fashion Fund award. The prize includes company mentoring, a grant of approximately $330,000 to help fund the brand and recognition among past winners like Nicholas Kirkwood, Johnathan Saunders and Christopher Kane. Designers Peter Pilotto and Christopher de Vos, the duo behind the name, were commended for their attention to color and design, shown through their digital prints, sculptural shapes and unique color combinations.
“They have remained true to their vision of a print and color focused brand, but have managed to expand and grow the business to a level where they can now compete on an international stage," Alexandra Shulman, editor of British Vogue and chair of the fund, told WWD. Peter Pilotto competed against other London-based designers including Emilia Wickstead, House of Holland, Mary Katrantzou, Osman and Zoe Jordan.
Pilotto and de Vos met in Antwerp while studying at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts and quickly became a celebrity favorite for their eclectic prints and eye-catching color. Miranda Kerr, Emma Watson, Kerry Washington, Cate Blanchett and Kristen Stewart are all fans of the brand. "Peter Pilotto and Christopher de Vos are an incredibly dynamic design team, who since launching their label in 2007, have won the hearts and minds of the industry and the public with their vibrant colors and unforgettable prints," Caroline Rush, chief executive of the British Fashion Council, told British Vogue. "They demonstrated they are a thriving fashion label with a great vision to take the next step in building a global designer fashion brand."
