With fashion's constant thirst for the Next Big Thing, it is always exciting when an emerging designer achieves some major recognition. The CDFA/Vogue Fashion Fund award has previously helped to put designers such as Proenza Schouler and Alexander Wang on the map, and with a $200,000 prize fund to boot, it looks like winner Sophie Theallet has a bright future ahead of her.
Not that she's some young upstart fresh out of fashion school - french-born Theallet has previously worked for Jean Paul Gaultier and has over ten years experience as Azzedine Aleia's right-hand woman. She's also made headlines by dressing Michelle Obama, and by casting only black models for her debut show in 2008 (although she insists this was not to make any kind of political statement).
With a style she describes as 'bohemian luxe seen through the eyes of a sophisticated couturier', Theallet's skill and experience within the world of couture shines through in her Spring/Summer 2010 collection - and with plans to collaborate on a shoe line with Manolo Blahnik, doubtless we can expect more headlines in future.
Photos: Sophie Theallet S/S 10 from style.com