UK -- Tennis superstar, fashion icon and Sony Ericsson global brand ambassador Maria Sharapova unveiled exclusive London College of Fashion(LCF) student designs in the window of internationally renowned design store Liberty.

Over a term-long project, Sony Ericsson worked with the School of Fashion Design and Technology at London College of Fashion to explore the relationship between technology and fashion.Students were briefed by the Sony Ericsson design team and Maria, who sent a personal message of support to the students, to help inspire future designs and ideas.

Sony Ericsson and LCF
The Sony Ericsson LCF collaboration has involved more than 80 students from four degree courses, three year groups and countries across the world – all competing for a chance for their designs to be displayed in the window of Liberty, the opportunity to meet Maria and receive a prize from Sony Ericsson.

The winner was picked from a shortlist of 25 entries by a panel of judges including Maria, Sony Ericsson designer Tina Lekeberg, London College of Fashion Designers in Residence Boudicca and senior academics from the School of Fashion Design & Technology. The winner and two runners-up were revealed by Maria to international media.

Known for her style on and off the court, fashion is one of Maria’s passions, and she played an integral part in the development of the course module and the student design judging panel.

LCF Winning Design
The winning design came from British student Georgie Davies, 20,a second year student studying for a BA in Fashion Design and Development.

Georgie wanted to find a way to alert a person when their mobile phone rings in a noisy bar, club or venue. She created a cocktail dress made up of interactive scales, inspired by butterfly wings. When the phone rings, the dress subtly lights up, alerting you to the call.

“I’m thrilled to be involved in such an innovative project that encourages creativity and pushes the boundaries of fashion,” said Maria Sharapova. “Georgie’s winning design presented a completely different look at how fashion interacts with technology. Everyone has shown such creative flair and I am really impressed with all the designs. My partnership with Sony Ericsson has given me the opportunity to be involved in so many fantastic projects and has enabled me to explore one of my passions – style.”

Sony Ericsson and Design
Over the past year Sony Ericsson has worked closely with Maria on various projects. The successful Maria Sharapova Design Collection was launched in 2008 – a range of mobile phone accessories, to compliment any woman’s outfit. The Sony Ericsson and London College of Fashion collaboration was created to encourage students to look in-depth at how technology and fashion can compliment and influence each other to create on-trend and forward-thinking designs.

“We have a fantastic international design team at Sony Ericsson who develop cutting edge technology designs by keeping ahead of style trends and working closely with leading institutions like the London College of Fashion,” said Aldo Liguori, Corporate VP and head of global communications and PR from Sony Ericsson. “By investing in fashion, it enables us to gain insight from future fashion stars as well as providing the students with a chance to get noticed on the world stage with our global brand ambassador Maria Sharapova, whose fashion knowledge has been integral to this project.”

London College of Fashion
Colin Renfrew, Dean of the School of Fashion Design and Technology, said: “The Sony Ericsson collaboration is a fantastic example of how London College of Fashion strives to form meaningful and innovative industry partnerships. The open and creative brief allowed our students free reign to develop design ideas that are forward thinking.

Having Maria involved in this project has really helped the students identify with Sony Ericsson and has enabled the winning design to be showcased worldwide – really highlighting the breadth of talent at London College of Fashion.”

Winner, Georgie said: “Winning the Sony Ericsson competition has been wonderful; it’s given me real confidence in my work. It was fascinating to work conceptuality with the idea of technology and how to incorporate it into fashion.”

Georgie received two tickets to London Fashion Week, two tickets to the Wimbledon Championships at the All England Club and entry to the Sony Ericsson WTA Pre-Wimbledon Party, in association with Ralph Lauren. The two runners-up, Lova Moller from Sweden and Cecilia Ku from Hong Kong, also had their designs showcased with Maria and received a Sony Ericsson T707 mobile phone, two tickets to London Fashion Weekend and Liberty of London accessories.

Lova’s design took the concept of online ‘status’ updates and took it one step further by concealing cameras in a garment that continuously record the wearer’s surroundings and wirelessly transmit video updates to the mobile phone, which can be uploaded from a handset to the internet. Cecilia designed a metal bag that is a power source to charge items, such as a mobile phone, when on the move. Sony Ericsson phone designs and Cecilia’s love of clean lines interact well to create a stylish accessory.

Liberty
Liberty, situated on world-renowned Carnaby Street and in the heart of shopping paradise Oxford Circus, has always been synonymous with distinctive chic and eclectic but cool style statements – a perfect venue for Maria Sharapova and Sony Ericsson.

“We were delighted to host Maria and the London College of Fashion designers,” said Maxine Groucutt, Head of Visual Identity at Liberty. “Sony Ericsson approached us with a concept that supports the burgeoning British fashion industry – we were very excited to be involved!”
 
Sony Ericsson