The We Speak Image fashion campaign challenges 17 European fashion designers to create a collection inspired by photos taken by their fellow countrymen. Members of the public can upload their most creative and iconic images, with the most popular given to a leading fashion designer. The resulting garments will be showcased at London, Milan and Paris Fashion Weeks. Canon will make a donation to Red Cross Societies across Europe for each image uploaded.

Canon UK Press Release

Canon Invites UK & Ireland Public to Inspire National Fashion Collection

• General public to upload iconic images of England, Ireland, Scotland, & Wales to inspire designer
• Leading fashion designer, Matthew Williamson to create unique national fashion capsule collection using public’s images
• Proceeds from project to benefit Red Cross youth projects across the UK

REIGATE, May 16, 2007 – Canon, world-leader in imaging and imaging solutions, today launched a major new European project across 17 countries – the We Speak Image fashion campaign.  For the project, Canon has recruited British fashion designer Matthew Williamson, along with 16 other leading fashion designers across Europe, to create a series of unique collections which capture the essence of their country, inspired by images taken by their fellow countrymen. 

In celebration of Canon’s second year as sponsor of London, Paris and Milan fashion weeks, and to mark Canon Europe’s 50th Anniversary as a leader in imaging solutions, the company is asking members of the public to upload their most creative and iconic images – which represent the spirit of their nation – to a unique, custom-built website www.canon-europe.com/wespeakimage. Canon will make a donation to Red Cross Societies across Europe for each image uploaded.

Innovative new technology has been employed to create an unparalleled website experience and build an extensive interactive community. From May 16, 2007 through to July 20, 2007 users will be able to view each other’s images, create ‘mood boards’, and vote for their favourite image in weekly competitions, with the most popular in each market winning a stylish Canon IXUS 70 digital camera.

The most popular and creative images from each nation will be given to a leading fashion designer – including Matthew Williamson in the UK and Elio Fiorucci in Italy – who will use the images to inspire the ‘national’ fashion collection, created with the help of Canon’s state-of-the-art imaging equipment. The resulting garments will be showcased at London, Milan and Paris Fashion Weeks, which will also be made available for the public to view via installations and events across Europe from September.

Commenting on the project, Matthew Williamson, said, “For me, the We Speak Image fashion campaign is an enormously exciting concept – from the inspiring images which harness the spirit of Britain, to the final fashion capsule collection which celebrates our diversity.  Canon’s fashion projects are always glamorous and creative, and I’m delighted to work alongside them in helping the public to unlock their potential and become part of something truly spectacular.  The Red Cross is a wonderful charity and I am happy that this Canon project will also support the British Red Cross.”

As an official supporter of Red Cross Societies across Europe, Canon will make a donation to the charity for every image uploaded to the campaign website.  In addition to these funds, profits from the sales of limited edition fashion items and accessories, created by some of the designers exclusively for the We Speak Image fashion campaign, will go to help support Red Cross youth projects across Europe. 

Andy Vickers, Managing Director, Canon UK said, “Canon recognises the power of the creative image in the same way that the fashion world does. To us, image is everything. Our camera, print and colour matching technologies are being used – now more than ever – by established and emerging designers across Europe as part of their creative process and enabling them to create incredible moments of fashion and artistic expression.”

“It is Canon’s philosophy to inspire and empower creativity in everyone, regardless of whether they are a professional or enthusiastic amateur. The We Speak Image fashion campaign brings together the collective creativity of Europe’s leading fashion designers and members of the public to celebrate Europe’s cultural diversity and sense of style. I encourage everyone to get behind their camera; get behind their country and help us raise funds for youth in need across Europe.”

The We Speak Image fashion campaign follows on from Canon’s enormously successful The Other Side of Fashion project which ran last year and raised hundreds of thousands of euros for the Red Cross. The project recruited the talents of 100 of the world’s most influential style icons to reveal an insider’s perspective on the international fashion scene. The resulting photographic collection was launched across Europe at a glittering celebrity-led event in London and was made available through a glossy magazine and public exhibitions across Europe.

Sir Nick Young, Chief Executive of the British Red Cross said, “Canon and the Red Cross have so much in common – the inspirational work that the Red Cross does for European communities in need fits naturally with Canon’s ‘kyosei’ philosophy of living and working together for the common good. Following the overwhelming success of The Other Side of Fashion project last year, we are delighted to be working with Canon again on this exciting project which will continue to raise vital funds for youth projects across Europe.”

About Canon (UK) Limited
Canon is a world-leading innovator and provider of imaging and information technology solutions for the home and office environments.

Canon has a global philosophy of Kyosei - living and working together for the common good, which clearly demonstrates commitment to customers, staff and the environment shared by all.

Canon (UK) Ltd is the UK marketing and sales operation for the US$32 billion global company based in Tokyo, Japan.  In the UK Canon employs around 2,000 people in various locations including Ireland and has achieved sales of £541m in 2005.

The main business focus for Canon (UK) Ltd is in two clearly defined market segments: Business Solutions covering both the office and professional printing environments (including: multifunctional printers, IT consultation, photocopiers, printers, large format printers, fax machines, document management hardware & software) and Consumer Imaging (input solutions: film and digital cameras, camcorders, binoculars and scanners; and output solutions: Ink Jet printers, fax machines, desktop multifunctionals and multimedia LCD projectors).

Further information about Canon UK Ltd is available at:  www.canon.co.uk

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