On|Off Visionary Award

“I'm really thrilled to be asked in the selection for On|Off. I've always respected their taste in designers and think they have a completely unique vision, which is interesting and slightly subversive. This year's winner, Cunnington and Sanderson are new stars in the making. Their presentation was professional and thought provoking. I wish them the very best of luck for the future."
– Katie Grand

In 2006 On|Off created the Visionary Award in order to promote and showcase new designer talent and support their businesses. Previous Visionary Award winners include some of the leading UK-based fashion names: Charlie Le Mindu, Louise Amstrup, Hannah Marshall, Sinha Stanic, Peter Pilotto and most recently Cunnington & Sanderson.

Selected by the specialist industry judging panel, the winner will receive, specialist support towards their business in creating their first ever international catwalk show on the On|Off Paris schedule and invaluable one-to-one mentoring sessions with selected panel members. The title will be awarded to the winner at the On|Off London event in September 2012 during London Fashion Week.

AW12 WINNERS

CUNNINGTON & SANDERSON

The British duo Matthew Cunnington and John Sanderson began their collaboration after meeting in their final year of Fashion Design at the University of Central England in 2005. Since Graduation Matthew has gone onto complete the M.A. Fashion Design and Enterprise course at the University of Westminster, London. John has gained valuable experience working with two leading Fashion Designers in London. Some of their highlights have included exhibiting at the British Embassy in Paris and in April 2008 Matthew went on to win the Grand Prix at the Hyeres Festival with the collection entitled 'Hail Mary'. Their most recent collection ‘Mourning Weeds’ has been shown at the Museo Della Permanente, during Milan fashion week and at the 24th Festival International de Mode and de Photographie – Hyeres, 2009. Cunnington & Sanderson's signature is to create emotional constructions, with the intent to make a connection with the wearer. Experimental folding, draping and cutting play an important part in their work, using fabric as a medium to sculpt with onto the body.