The British Fashion Council Foundation Champions a New Generation of Designers
This year, a number of initiatives will support designers like Priya Ahluwalia, Bethany Williams and Bianca Saunders.
The British Fashion Council has announced its annual program of talent support and impact, offering four initiatives that will support 34 designers and a number of students in 2021/22.
The schemes offer mentoring, professional services, financial support and pro-bono legal services. They aim to celebrate the next generation of designers, showcase creativity and foster positive business development. The initiatives are the BFC NEWGEN in partnership with TikTok, the BFC/GQ Designer Menswear Fund, the BFC/Vogue Designer Fashion Fund and the BFC Fashion Trust.
The BFC NEWGEN in partnership with TikTok sponsorship is awarded to womenswear, menswear and accessories designers and offers a bespoke program of activity created by TikTok. The 2021/22 recipients are Ahluwalia, ART SCHOOL, ASAI, Bianca Saunders, Conner Ives, EFTYCHIA, FEBEN, HELEN KIRKUM, Labrum London, Matty Bovan, Nensi Dojaka, Paolo Carzana, Per Götesson, Richard Quinn, ROBYN LYNCH, ROKER, S.S.DALEY, Saul Nash, Stefan Cooke, SUPRIYA LELE, and yuhan wang.
Established in 2013, the BFC/GQ Designer Menswear Fund offers the aforementioned resources and a cash prize. The shortlist includes Ahluwalia, Bethany Williams, Bianca Saunders, Feng Chen Wang, Nicholas Daley and Stefan Cooke, with the winner due to be announced during London Fashion Week in June.
Since 2008, the BFC/Vogue Designer Fashion Fund has supported its chosen recipient with a range of services and a £200,000 GBP grant. All shortlisted candidates receive the above benefits as well as support from British Vogue, Burberry, Clearpay and Paul Smith. This year, Bethany Williams was announced as the winner.
The BFC Fashion Trust seeks to empower positive business growth and was open to all gender collections and/or accessories for the first time. The 2021/22 recipients of the BFC Fashion Trust are ART SCHOOL, Completedworks, E.L.V. DENIM, Halpern, NEOUS, Nicholas Daley, and Wales Bonner.
Learn more about the BFC Impact Announcement in the video below.
