Meet Hannah Jinkins, the Winner of H&M’s 2016 Design Award

Hannah Jinkins, the winner of H&M’s 2016 Design Award. Photo: Courtesy

It was announced today that 24-year-old Hannah Jinkins is the winner of H&M’s 2016 Design Award. The Royal College of Art graduate wowed the esteemed panel — which included Kate Bosworth, Olivier Rousteing, and famed photographer Nick Knight — with her ability to seamlessly blend raw denim and silk in the form of pants, jackets, and oversized tops.

“Hannah is really brilliant,” Bosworth said in a statement. “She has the ability to balance so many difficult things, like the raw with the refined, or something very grown up with something more youthful.”

Jinkins was one of eight finalists selected from 40 of the top tier design schools around the world. On Monday night, the designers presented four of their best looks in a fashion show that took place in London. For taking home the top prize, Jinkins will receive $55,000 in prize money as well a year of mentorship and the opportunity to sell her Fall 2016 collection at H&M. Fresh off her big win, we caught up with the designer, who explained how utilizing ancient Japanese pottery techniques inspired her collection.

Yahoo Style: How does it feel to be H&M’s new fashion star?

Hannah Jinkins: I feel very honored and proud to have been chosen by H&M and the other judges. The whole competition was such a roller coaster, and all happened so fast! But this is just the beginning!

Can you explain what your designs are about?

My work seeks to reveal the beauty in things that have been used, damaged or broken. Through research into denim, I began looking at Japanese processes and mantras such as Boro and Wabi-Sabi, then exploring Kintsugi — the Japanese art of mending pottery using staples, glue and gold leaf.

The process behind the collection begun as a ‘staple-to-fit’ tailoring method which I applied when fitting on real women. Taking masculine shapes and rough materials, I feminised and 'mended’ the forms through manipulation to create garments that play with ideas of spontaneity and happy accidents.

My graduate collection combines these explorations of gender, mending techniques, and denim cultures.

Hannah Jinkins’ winning collection for H&M. Photo: Courtesy

How did you decide to become a designer?

It happened quite organically. During my teens it became something I studied in school, and the more I learned and developed skills in experimenting with textiles and producing clothes, the more I loved the idea of designing, and making a life doing so. I studied my BA in Fashion at University of Salford, which was an amazing 3 years where I learnt so much and was encouraged to continue my studies further at the Royal College of Art.

Who are some designers that you look up to/admire?

I admire Faye and Erica of Toogood Unisex, Martin Margiela and Faustine Steinmetz, for the way in which they approach the clothing with almost an artist’s mindset. There’s a raw, organic and industrial influence to the way they work.

What was your reaction when you found out that you won?

It was quite emotional. From the semi-final through to the final, there were so many talented designers with incredible collections. I was speechless for quite a while — the award means so much to me.

Hannah Jinkins’ winning collection for H&M. Photo: Courtesy

How do you plan to make the most of the winnings and mentorship?

The winnings will be such an amazing stepping stone for building my own label. Having reproduced my Masters collection for LN-CC for Fall 2015 (straight after the Royal College of Art show back in June), I’m eager to continue to grow as both a designer and a brand. Now I can afford to produce a new collection and aim to show during fashion weeks next year.

How did you feel about presenting your designs to Kate Bosworth, Olivier Rousteing, and Nick Knight?

Presenting to such an esteemed panel was both exciting and terrifying. It was quite a surreal experience to begin with, however everyone was so kind and the atmosphere was very relaxed. They were all really enthusiastic about the work and it’s incredible to realize such influential people selected my collection for the award.

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