Teatum Jones: One To Watch

Looking to swot up on your fash brands to know for SS16? Add Teatum Jones to your list...

Designer twosome, Catherine Teatum and Rob Jones of Teatum Jones beat out stiff competition to take home the womenswear regional title at the International Woolmark Prize British Isles Final. 

They’ll now go on to compete for the coveted International Woolmark Prize – whose alumni includes Yves Saint Laurent and Karl Lagerfeld – at the final in New York in February 2016. 

The competition saw a panel made up of Roland Mouret, Jason Basmajian, Dylan Jones, Sophie Naophitou, Anita Barr, Simon Chilvers and Stuart McCullough judge collections from 8 up-and-coming British brands including Fyodor Golan, J.JS Lee and Thomas Tait. 

While we’ll now be seeking out Teatum Jones (who are stocked in Fortnum and Mason and on Net-a-Porter BTW) to wear next season, Agi & Sam will be the go-to for the boys after winning the menswear prize. 

“We are absolutely thrilled about winning this prize,” enthused Teatum Jones, “and what really excites us for the future is the potential of Merino wool, looking at it in a purist and scientific way. Winning the regional award has made us even more motivated to create the most innovative collection we can for the international finals.” 

“What we loved about Teatum Jones winning this prize was their use and development of Merino wool, from their concept to the final garment,” explained Roland Mouret. “It was extraordinary and we thought it was really representative of what Britain’s young designers stand for.” 

Anita Barr – the Group Fashion Buying Director at Harvey Nichols – told us the one piece of advice she’d give up and coming designers, saying: ‘I’d tell them to be commercially visible as well as creative; it’s really important to have that balance. 

The womenswear entrants were really innovative. They knew what they were doing and they created something that we could take to the shop floor and sell and that’s an essential skill. Customers don’t always know the amount of work that goes into the process of creating something like what Teatum Jones did so it’s important that it sits together and is commercially attractive.' 

They’re show pieces, but they’re also commercial pieces that you sell, so for me a young designer needs to know that balance and be fully aware of it.’ 

Snaps to Catherine and Rob!