PRESS RELEASE

 

BFC ANNOUNCES SHORTLIST AND FIRST FUNDERS FOR

- The BFC / Vogue Designer Fashion Fund –

 

The British Fashion Council (BFC) today announced the shortlist for the inaugural BFC / Vogue Designer Fashion Fund. The shortlisted designers are Angel Jackson, Christopher Kane, Clements Ribeiro, E.Tautz, Erdem, Marios Schwab, Nicholas Kirkwood and Richard Nicoll.

 

The Fund was launched by BFC Chairman Harold Tillman in September 2008 as a legacy project for the BFC’s 25th anniversary celebrations. Those supporting The Fund include Arcadia Group, Burberry, Condé Nast, Debenhams, Harrods, House of Fraser, HSBC Commercial Bank, Jaeger / Aquascutum, Marks & Spencer, Paul Smith, Tesco Clothing, TONI&GUY and Westfield Shopping Towns.

 

The Fund will provide one British based designer with £200,000 and high level mentoring support - additional awards of mentoring and business support may be allocated to finalists at the judging panel’s discretion.

 

The aim of The Fund is to assist talented British designers with the potential for commercial growth to start making the transition from a developing creative business to a global fashion brand.

 

In order to be eligible for this scheme, designers must have an established business. They must also be UK based, as well as having UK and international stockists and support from key media both UK and internationally. The winner will demonstrate a clear vision for their business and how The Fund will contribute to their growth with a focus on creating an international brand.

 

The British Fashion Council has an international reputation for supporting emerging talent through its existing schemes; NEWGEN supported by TOPSHOP and Fashion Forward supported by Coutts & Co. The BFC Vogue Designer Fashion Fund is a unique support scheme in the UK that will focus on developing British designers businesses into global brands.

 

The Fund will be chaired by Harold Tillman. Alexandra Shulman, Editor of British Vogue, will chair the judging panel and British Vogue will document the judging process and announce the winner in its May 2010 issue.  Marigay McKee, Fashion and Beauty Director at Harrods, will chair a committee of industry mentors who will play an active role in supporting the winners.  Mentors will be allocated once a winner has been selected in order to offer relevant support to achieve the goals set out by the individual business.

 

BFC Chairman, Harold Tillman, commented “The industry support that we have received for The British Fashion Council’s Vogue Designer Fashion Fund so far has been fantastic but we still have a lot of work to do to ensure a lasting legacy. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of our funders. I strongly believe this scheme will play a key role in developing businesses in the future”.

 

Alexandra Shulman, Editor of British Vogue, said “This is a wonderful initiative that will help British fashion designers grow successful businesses; London has a worldwide reputation for emerging talent but the challenge continues to be for our designers to translate their creative brilliance into profitable internationally recognized brands.”

 

Marigay McKee, Fashion and Beauty Director, Harrods said “Nurturing and promoting our home grown talent is crucial for the future of the British fashion industry. Harrods is proud to be part of this exciting initiative that will actively help talented designers to develop their businesses into global brands.”    

 

-Ends-

 

For press enquiries regarding the British Fashion Council and the BFC / Vogue Designer Fashion Fund please contact:

 

Gemma Ebelis, PR Manager, British Fashion Council, Tel: +44 (0) 20 7759 1989 gemma.ebelis@britishfashioncouncil.com

 

 

 

Editors notes:

• ·        Full details of eligibility are available from www.britishfashioncouncil.com/designerfashionfund


•          The British Fashion Council (BFC) was set up in 1983 to promote British fashion and co-ordinate this promotion through fashion weeks, exhibitions and showcasing events


•          London Fashion Week is organised by the British Fashion Council


•          The NEWGEN sponsorship was established in 1993, acting as a promotional launch pad for young designers, attracting media profile, orders and investment whilst offering encouragement and support for new talent. NEWGEN is sponsored by TOPSHOP.


•          Fashion Forward was established three years ago to provide financial support to the UK’s most talented designers who are in the early stages of developing their business and have already established a profile at London Fashion Week.  The London Development Agency supports this scheme.