ADA + NIK SELECTED FOR GEN ART AWARD AT NEW YORK FASHION WEEK SS16

ADA + NIK SELECTED FOR GEN ART AWARD AT NEW YORK FASHION WEEK SS16

London-based contemporary men’s wear design duo, Ada + Nik (Ada Zanditon and Nik Thakkar) has become the first ever British brand to be selected for the prestigious Gen Art 2015 award at New York Fashion Week (following in the footsteps of eponymous labels including Rodarte, Zac Posen and 3.1 Phillip Lim). 

Gen Art, the 20-year-old organization that is known for launching new talent in film, fashion and art, has selected Ada + Nik who will show during Gen Art Fresh Faces in Fashion. The event will take place Sept. 9 at Pier 59 in New York City at 7 pm.

Keri Ingvarsson, co-owner of Gen Art, will produce Fresh Faces 2015, alongside a fashion jury led by Christina Neault, a programming fashion consultant to Pier 59 and former IMG executive, and supported by Betsey Johnson; fashion TV personality and host Robert Verdi; actress, model and lifestyle blogger Lydia Hearst; Gen Art Fresh Faces designer alumnus Duckie Brown, and George Wayne. The last time Gen Art showed in New York was September 2012.

“We were looking for sophomore designers that had retail outlets or e-commerce, yet wanted to expand their reach globally,” Neault said. “Creativity and innovation in their collection were very important in our selection process, as well as the designer’s press coverage and industry accolades.”

Fresh Faces in Fashion has lined up sponsors including Aveda, DSW Designer Shoe Warehouse, Peroni, Saint Geron, Voga Italia, and Alice Bow.

In addition to being featured in September’s New York Fashion Week show, Ada + Nik will be mentored and advised by members of the Gen Art fashion jury. Finalists will be afforded retail opportunities through Gen Art’s New York and Los Angeles showrooms and at major trade shows, as well as a holiday concept shop with a retail or e-commerce partner that hasn’t been disclosed yet. The 2015 winner — who will be named Sept. 9 — will be awarded a yearlong incubation program to accelerate their career in partnership with Gen Art, including strategy, financial, marketing and sales resources. Gen Art sought nominations through 50 fashion universities, colleges and educational programs worldwide, inviting each institution to nominate their fashion alumni who would benefit most from the new Fresh Faces. There were more than 1,000 entries.