Goodwood Racecourse is delighted to announce Bora Aksu as winner of this year’s Goodwood Talent in Fashion Award, in association with the British Fashion Council. Known for his elegant and romantic signature style, with a darker twist and hint of nostalgia, Bora is hailed for bringing emotion through storytelling to his collections, which harbour muted colours, volume, handcrafted embroidery and exquisite detailing. For over 20 years, Bora has been known for his demi-couture feminine looks and has been recognised with the New Generation Award four years in a row, now a regular at London fashion Week. His passion for vintage and rejected fabrics have been an integral part of the business over the last few years, and breathing life into the past fits perfectly with his artistic vision. This new project will see him designing three show-stopping couture gowns inspired by Goodwood’s heritage.
The Duke of Richmond says:“Bora is a designer who has embraced that quintessentially English look of romance with a twist - a philosophy that fits perfectly with Goodwood’s fashion legacy. We have always been known for an ‘England in the Summer’ way of dressing, ever since King Edward VII and Lillie Langtry came racing during the 19th century, and today encourage this relaxed yet glamorous style. Bora’s work also embodies a strong sense of storytelling and I’m excited to see how the stories of Goodwood will inspire his creations. He has a passion for vintage and reclaimed fabric, which is very close to our hearts. The Talent in Fashion Award is allowing us to build a unique collection of one-off pieces and we are thrilled that Bora’s gowns will become part of the Goodwood Collection.”
Bora Aksu says: “I am so honoured and humbled to receive this year's Goodwood Talent in Fashion Award. History has always been such an integral part of my work for my collection inspirations and research into female historical figures as my muses. Goodwood House and the spectacular females associated with Goodwood’s history was a real source of inspiration for me. My ideas and designs for the dresses are a blend of several different female figures from throughout Goodwood’s history, as well as the colours and amazing textures of the House itself.”
Caroline Rush, BFC Chief Executive says: “The Goodwood Talent in Fashion prize has become an opportunity to highlight incredible British designers and to see how they interpret the dressing codes of racing and the influence of Goodwood’s heritage. Bora Aksu’s ultra feminine designs will no doubt bring a sense of romanticism to this year’s commissioned works.”
The award, now in its fourth year, was created to recognise rising home-grown talent and last year’s winner Sohee Park set the bar by creating three spectacular dresses for the Goodwood Collection. The three gowns designed by Bora will be revealed during the Opening Ceremony of the Qatar Goodwood Festival on Tuesday 30th July 2024 and will provide a head-turning moment during the headline horseracing fixture, which is one of the undisputed highlights of the British Flat racing season and known throughout the country for its signature garden party style.
The Goodwood Talent in Fashion Award is held every year with the winning designer selected by a panel of judges that includes The Duke of Richmond, Caroline Rush, Chief Executive of the British Fashion Council, Sian Westerman, Non-Executive Director, British Fashion Council and Lydia Slater, Editor of Harper’s Bazaar. The pieces are kept at Goodwood House and form part of the Goodwood Collection.
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Editor’s Notes
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About the Qatar Goodwood Festival:
The Qatar Goodwood Festival is one of the undisputed highlights of the British flat racing season.
Affectionately known as ‘Glorious Goodwood’, the world-famous five-day festival is a sporting and social occasion like no other, unrivalled style, superb racing, and hospitality experiences to savour mean it’s not to be missed.
The 2024 event takes place from Tuesday 30 July to Saturday 3 August. The week is headed by three Group 1 races, including the Qatar Goodwood Cup, the Qatar Sussex Stakes, and the Qatar Nassau Stakes.
Tickets, dining, and hospitality are now on sale for the Qatar Goodwood Festival. Visit Goodwood.com or call 01243 755055 to find out more.
About Goodwood
Goodwood is a unique sporting estate set in 12,000 acres of rolling South Downs countryside. Owned by the Dukes of Richmond since 1697, it is best known for its extraordinary mix of sporting activities, which includes horseracing, motor racing, golf, flying, shooting and cricket, all started by various enthusiastic members of the family over the last three hundred years. Goodwood is also famous for delivering fabulous hospitality and wonderful food, much of which is grown on its own self-sustaining organic farm. The Qatar Goodwood Festival is always held the last week of July and has long been an essential part of the summer season – www.goodwood.com
For further information, please contact Catherine Peel
Email: catherine@dovetail-agency.co.uk Phone: 07810 186360
About Bora Aksu
Founded in 2002 by Turkish-born Bora Aksu, a graduate of the MA in Fashion Design course at Central Saint Martins and winner of the BFC’s NEWGEN Award for four consecutive seasons. The London-based label has grown with the fashion industry standing as a benchmark for excellence in craftsmanship and style.
Synonymous with a timeless romantic style, an aesthetic that is juxtaposed with the raw elegance that sets Aksu’s designs apart. Diaphanous fabrics and whimsical detailing are underpinned by a distinctive twist on tailoring that plays with traditional design elements to create the joyful beauty that has made Aksu the designer he is today. With a strong VIP following, Aksu’s designs having graced the likes of Marion Cotillard, Sienna Miller, Keira Knightly, Elle Fanning, Lucy Boynton, Paloma Faith, Florence Welch, Rachel McAdams, Rita Ora and Courtney Love to name a few.
Bora Aksu has soared in the Asian market over recent years, in turn this has grown to incorporate 57 stand-alone boutiques across Asia Pacific including a flagship store in Hong Kong and the launch of Bora Aksu Kids. www.boraaksu.com For all PR enquiries please contact Anna Brennan anna@ab-comms.uk or Natalie Black natalie@ab-comms.uk
About The British Fashion Council
The British Fashion Council (BFC) is a not-for-profit organisation set up in 1983 with the role to strengthen British fashion in the global economy as a leader in responsible, creative businesses. It does this through championing diversity and building and inviting the industry to actively participate in a network to accelerate a successful circular fashion economy. The BFC promotes British fashion internationally and does so through fashion weeks, exhibitions and showcasing events. The BFC helps British designer businesses develop their profile and business globally and supports fashion talent beginning at college level, extending to talent identification, business support and showcasing schemes. For more information, visit britishfashioncouncil.co.uk / londonfashionweek.co.uk / instituteofpositivefashion.com
