Jens Laugesen

Born and raised in Denmark, Jens D. Laugesen moved to Paris in 1987 where he worked as chief assistant to visionary fashion photographer/art director Gunnar Larsen. This introduction to the world of high fashion encouraged Jens to study the techniques of Haute Couture design at the Chambre Syndicale de la Couture Parisienne. He graduated as top student in 1991, which resulted in him undertaking rare and prestigious internships in the couture studios of both M. Paco Rabanne, and M. Hubert De Givenchy.

Subsequently Jens worked for 2 years as a fashion journalist for the Scandinavian press before returning to education in 1993 to taking a Masters Degree in Fashion Management at the Institut Francais De La Mode IFM in Paris. Following his graduation from IFM in 1994, Laugesen spent the following six years working as senior collection designer, design studio manager and head of collection for a number of internationally renowned design houses in Paris at both Haute Couture and Ready-to-Wear level.

In 2000 Jens relocated to London, where he joined the prestigious MA Fashion (womenswear) course at Central Saint Martins. Graduating with a distinction in February 2002, his much-acclaimed graduate collection was selected by leading Paris boutique Maria Luisa to be exhibited in the coveted store windows during Haute Couture week in July 2002. Jens was also invited to present his eponymous collection at London Fashion Week's talent spotting Fashion East show.

Heralded by Observer Magazine as "London's answer to Helmut Lang", Jens was awarded the British Fashion Council's New Generation award, permitting him to move his show onto the official London Fashion Week schedule for the coming 5 seasons. The first on-schedule show was an immediate success and he was named "the next big thing" by fashion industry figurehead Suzy Menkes, of the International Herald Tribune who described his collection as having "a sluttish elegance".

In 2005 his work was selected by Alexander McQueen to be featured in influential fashion reference book Sample 100, edited by Bronwyn Cosgrave and published by Phaidon. He has also been selected by influential I-D Magazine to be featured in the new Fashion Now, book edited by Terry Jones and published Taschen in early 2006.

In 2006 Jens Laugesen was been awarded the prestigious ANDAM fellowship award in Paris and his most recent return to London Fashion Week was described at « one of the most beautiful shows in London Fashion Week » by Vogue.com.

Other awards included the British Fashion Council's Fashion Forward award for SS08, entailing financial support from Westfield London for two consecutive seasons, and 'Designer of the Year' in March 2008 in his native Denmark.

Collaborations with prestigious fashion brands include capsule collections and creative concepts designed for Atelier Swarovski, Topshop, Kopenhagen Fur, Cotton USA and Spiewak. Most recently he has collaborated for SS09 and AW0910 with Linda Farrow Vintage for the launch of the brands first "hybrid" sunglasses, cross breading the glamorous origins of the iconic brand with a 70's unisex aviator. Jens has also taught on the Fashion Design MA course at Central Saint Martins and is currently undertaking consultancies as Creative Director and Design Advisor for international Luxury and Ready to Wear clients.