To celebrate their ‘Once Upon an Innocence’ collection for Autumn/Winter 2012, London-based fashion label Teatum Jones developed an illustration competition to allow one talented artist the opportunity to have his/her work featured on the tea menu of The Dorchester hotel, as part of the ‘Fashion Tea on The Promenade’ event (scheduled for Tuesday 18 September 2012), organised by Teatum Jones in partnership with The Dorchester.
To enter the competition, entrants were requested to seek inspiration in Teatum Jones’ Autumn/Winter 2012 look book, and produce an illustration which would best reflect the collection and the event. Straightforward as it may seem, achieving this brief was no mean feat, as Teatum Jones are renowned (and admired by The Style Examiner) for producing exquisite prints and patterns that are true sartorial palimpsests. However, talented illustrators worldwide jumped at the opportunity to unravel the complex and beautiful layers of meaning with which brilliant designers Rob Jones and Catherine Teatum have imbued their garments.
The Style Examiner was thrilled and honoured to join the judging panel that analysed the outstanding shortlisted entries in order to select a winner. With a large number of entries of extremely high quality, the decision process was not easy, as the judges felt that many illustrations deserved to win the top prize. After an enjoyable debate, the judges agreed on a shortlisted that comprised work submitted by Leeay Aikawa, Timi Hayek, Meline Katchi, Evelina Romano, and Faye West. Following careful deliberation, it was agreed that the winner would be Evelina Romano, whose alluringly intriguing illustration portrayed a beguiling and feminine image that combined (in a very successfully manner) Teatum Jones’ sophisticated inspiration and The Dorchester’s timeless elegance.
