Nominee Gregory Parkinson with ballerina Jessica Saund
The coveted Council of Fashion Designers of America/Vogue Fashion Fund prize may have gone last night to Billy Reid, the Alabama-based men's and women's designer with a penchant for old school Americana. But in the prestigious annual contest, the only west coast entrant, Gregory Parkinson, remains a standout for creating a signature style that is all his own, season in and season out.
It's anyone's guess how much the downtown L.A.-based Gregory (by way of the north of England) would've benefitted from this year's prize of $300,000 for his business and a year mentorship with a leading industry professional. Or for that matter, the prizes the the two runners-up, jewelry designer Eddie Borgo and fashion designer Prabal Gurung, took in the way of $100,000 and mentorship.
I'm just proud to have featured him in this year's 2010 California Design Biennial, and even before the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund finalists were announced. He's been playing it slow and steady for years now, and, as we know from our childhood fables, in the end, that's how the race is won.
Photo Courtesy of Sherly Rabbani and Josephine Solimene/Style.com
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