Jonathan Saunders Takes Home the BFC/'Vogue' Fashion Fund Award

Across the pond, in a little hamlet I like to call London, Jonathan Saunders must be feeling mighty happy today. The clothing designer--who just showed his first full men's collection in Milan--took home the top prize at this year's BFC/Vogue Designer Fashion Fund Awards. Much like America's CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund Awards, a small group of emerging local talents are nominated, with a victor eventually taking home a satchel of cash and a year's worth of mentorship from an industry authority. As we noted earlier this year, Saunders is one of the frontrunning talents based in the British capital. Since establishing his brand in 2003, the Scottish-born wunderkind has cemented an aesthetic DNA that favors vivid, rich colors, contrasted with finely tailored, ladylike shapes. Season after season editors and retailers fall for his charms, which are consistently optimistic and often a tad cheeky (spring 2012's offerings sprung forth from the nexus of Eisenhower housewifery and the sexy-trashy Miami scene). Congrats to Saunders, who, with this latest vote of confidence, surely has plenty of reason to continue on with his penchant for cheerful, upbeat goods.