This time last year, 20 year old Midori Matsuo, a fashion student in Japan, was putting the finishing touches to her entry and eagerly awaiting the grand final in July in Beijing 
of the first Triumph Inspiration Award (TIA) – which she won.
And now, in a fantastic boost to her fledgling design career, she is looking forward to the moment when her winning design rolls off the production lines.
When it arrives in Triumph stores throughout Europe and Asia early in August, Midori’s intriguing design is destined to be the talk of the town.
Midori called her concept “Under Skin”. She says, “When women feel like crying, they tend to hide it. What this kind of delicate feeling and lingerie have in common is that both are only revealed to the important people in a woman’s life, those who are closest to her. I designed my lingerie to look like the face of a crying woman to illustrate this closeness and intimacy.”
The students participating in TIA08 were asked to interpret the theme “Female Fascination” and to create a unique showpiece including an under-wired bra and brief, that reflected the enchantment of women.
70 international design schools in 31 countries and regions took part in the competition which was judged by fashion experts including designers Viktor and Rolf; supermodel Helena Christensen; photographer Ellen von Unworth and creative director Sarah from Colette in Paris.
After winning the Triumph Inspiration Award 08, Midori met Triumph designers at the company’s design centre in Hong Kong. They discussed the developments that would transform her winning showpiece into a design that could go on sale commercially.
The result is remarkably faithful to the original. The stunning, multi-way, black padded bra (£50) sparkles with silver threads, diamanté and crystals and is trimmed with black satin and “eyelash” fringing.
The matching tanga (£25) is in nude stretch net appliquéd with radiating narrow black lines. The padded lips at the front are removable.
The set will arrive in Triumph stores in Cambridge, Cardiff, Leicester and Walton on Thames early in August. Bra sizes are 32 – 36 B & C and the brief is in S, M, L. Each item will have a special descriptive hang tag.
Meanwhile, students from top design schools all over the world are again busy creating designs for the Triumph Inspiration Award ’09. The theme this year is “Icons”.
James Nolan from Central Saint Martins will represent the UK at the grand final in Milan on September 23rd with his beautiful “swan” design inspired by the story of Odette and Odile. More news about the final on TLP soon!
