The British Fashion Council has announced the shortlist for the
BFC/Vogue Designer Fashion Fund 2020. This year’s shortlist includes
Alighieri, Charles Jeffrey Loverboy, David Koma, Halpern, Metier and Rejina
Pyo.
Established in 2008, the Fashion Fund aims to discover new emerging
talent and help to accelerate business growth, with the winner receiving
200,000 pounds to support the future of their brand, alongside a full
mentoring programme for one year.
Applications are encouraged from all over the UK and is open to designer
businesses that focus on womenswear and/or accessories, with a strong
aesthetic and point of difference, with many applicants becoming known to
the high-profile judging committee for the first time.
With the application process encouraging brands to think “strategically
about the Fund’s core objective of accelerating business growth,” explains
the BFC in a statement.
All shortlisted designers will be enrolled in a full mentoring programme
through the BFC’s Business Development team, with access to entrepreneurs,
donors and other industry experts who bring fresh insight to the commercial
elements of the business, advising on areas such as accountancy, business
strategy, retail channels, marketing, merchandising and international
growth.
The shortlisted designers will be interviewed by the Fund Judging
Committee this coming March with the winner announced in May.
Alighieri, Charles Jeffrey Loverboy, David Koma, Halpern, Metier and
Rejina Pyo, shortlisted for BFC/Vogue Designer Fashion Fund
This year’s judging committee is chaired by Edward Enninful,
editor-in-chief of British Vogue, with experts from across the fashion
industry, including Caroline Rush, British Fashion Council; Fran Summers,
Model; Gemma Metheringham, Label/Mix; Lauren Indvik, Financial Times; Maria
Hatzistefanis, Rodial; Natalie Kingham, Matchesfashion.com; Paul Smith; Rod
Manley, Burberry and Sarah Mower, BFC Ambassador for Emerging Talent and
Vogue Runway.
Edward Enninful, said: “The BFC Vogue Designer Fashion Fund continues to
be a vital initiative within the UK fashion industry in discovering and
supporting emerging talent. The shortlisted designers have all demonstrated
immense skill and business acumen to date.”
Caroline Rush, chief executive of the British Fashion Council,
added: “Congratulations to all the shortlisted designers! It is a very
exciting line-up which shows the breadth of talent we have here in the UK.
Now more than ever, it is essential for our industry to help and mentor new
talent who have the potential to become the next global fashion house and I
am delighted that the Fund is able to do so for the 12th consecutive
year.”
Previous winners of the BFC/Vogue Designer Fashion Fund includes last
year’s recipient Wales Bonner, as well as Christopher Kane, Erdem, Mary
Katrantzou, Molly Goddard, Mother of Pearl, Nicholas Kirkwood,
Palmer//Harding, Peter Pilotto and Sophia Webster.
The BFC/Vogue Designer Fashion Fund receives the generous support of
British Vogue, Burberry, Label/MIX, Rodial and Paul Smith.
Image: Alighieri courtesy of the British Fashion Council