The BFC/Vogue Designer Fashion Fund provides one designer with a bespoke, high level mentoring support programme over a twelve month period, as well as a £200,000 grant to provide the necessary infrastructure to take them to the next stage in its business. The 2016 shortlist is:
Emilia Wickstead | Mother of Pearl | Osman | Prism | Sophia Webster
The nominated designers are selected by the Fund Judging Committee and have all been chosen for their potential to develop into a global designer brand. Chaired by Alexandra Shulman OBE, Editor of British Vogue, the committee comprises of experts from across the fashion industry: Caroline Rush CBE, British Fashion Council; Ian Lewis, Harrys of London Limited; Joan Burstein CBE, Browns; Lisa Armstrong, The Daily Telegraph; Mary Homer, Topshop; Samantha Cameron, British Fashion Council Ambassador; Sarah Manley, Burberry; Susanne Tide-Frater, Farfetch/Victoria Beckham; and Victoria Beckham.
Alexandra Shulman OBE, Editor of British Vogue and Chair of the Fund Committee, said about the shortlist:
“This is an inspiring shortlist because of its diversity. It's a great representation of the spread of British fashion designers and all the contenders have huge strengths to their creative visions.”
Caroline Rush CBE, Chief Executive of the British Fashion Council, commented,
“We have been impressed by this year’s shortlist. These brands represent the best of London’s fashion talent as well as showing impressive business acumen. These designers all have the potential to become Britain’s next generation of global fashion brands.”
To coincide with the announcement, Harrods will be dedicating one of its world famous windows to the five shortlisted designers. This will be unveiled on the 19th January and will run for two weeks.
Previous winners of the BFC/Vogue Designer Fashion Fund include
Christopher Kane, Erdem, Mary Katrantzou, Nicholas Kirkwood and Peter Pilotto.
The BFC/Vogue Designer Fashion Fund is proudly supported by
British Vogue, Burberry, Harrods, Paul Smith and Topshop.
This year the BFC has once again created an exclusive online video series, Designer Fashion Fund, which follows the application process, designer journeys and interviews with the judging panel. The episodes will be published over the course of 2016 and can be viewed at youtube.com/BritishFashionTV and vogue.co.uk.
The winner of the award will be announced Tuesday 22nd March 2016.
The BFC would also like to thank M•A•C, The Office Group, The Shard and TONI&GUY.
Image credit: (L-R) Osman Yousefzada, Osman; Amy Powney, Mother of Pearl; Emilia Wickstead; Sophia Webster; and Anna Laub, Prism (Shaun James Cox, British Fashion Council)
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For British Fashion Council press enquiries please contact:
Will Iron:
will.iron@britishfashioncouncil.com | +44 (0) 207 759 1968