British Fashion Council Announces Plans for 2020’s NEW WAVE: Creatives

• NEW WAVE: Creatives, the BFC’s celebration of emerging talent, continues to form an important part of the spirit of The Fashion Awards, which in this exceptional year will take a digital-first approach on Thursday 3^rd December
• This year sees the introduction of a two-stage voting system for NEW WAVE: Creatives, beginning with 2019’s NEW WAVE recipients, who were invited to nominate their younger industry peers. A highly-influential Steering Committee of fifteen industry powerhouses has also been introduced to the project - the newly-created Committee will determine 2020’s recipients
• A final group of fifty NEW WAVE: Creatives will benefit from a year-round programme including powerful advocacy, meaningful generation of work and constant access to the British Fashion Council and the Steering Committee

The British Fashion Council today announces plans to bolster NEW WAVE: Creatives - a celebration of emerging talent across the fashion and beauty industries, and a vital component of The Fashion Awards, the annual celebration of creativity and innovation. Introducing a new two-stage voting system, this year saw voting begin in October with the NEW WAVE recipients from 2019 - the previous year’s community therefore directly influencing 2020’s outcome, in support of their younger industry peers.

2020 also sees the introduction of a newly created Steering Committee who will define the final group of recipients for this year. The Committee features some of the global fashion community’s most respected voices, and has been curated to comprise of highly influential, hyper-connected industry members from around the world. The group includes the editors, creative directors, models, stylists, publicists and fellow creatives who are at the coalface of fashion’s new reality, and who are in a position to meaningfully impact the next chapter of the NEW WAVE: Creatives careers.

The NEW WAVE: Creatives Steering Committee includes:

1. Aaron Philip (US) - Model
2. Adut Akech (South Sudan / Australia) - Model
3. Carlos Nazario (US) - Stylist
4. Celenie Seidel (UK) - Senior Women’s Fashion Editor, Farfetch
5. Charles Jeffrey (UK) - Designer; Artist
6. Elgar Johnson (UK) - Deputy Editor & Fashion Director, GQ Style
7. Guillaume Delacroix (France) - Founder, DLX
8. Isamaya Ffrench (UK) - Make-up Artist & Creative Director
9. Leslie Zhang (China) - Photographer
10. Marc Goehring (Germany) - Stylist, Creative Consultant, Fashion Director 032C
11. Mia Kong (China) - Style Director, Dazed China
12. Nell Kalonji (UK) - Senior Fashion Editor, AnOther
13. Olivia Singer (UK) - Fashion News Director, British Vogue
14. Paloma Elsesser (US) - Model; Actress
15. Steff Yotka (US) - Fashion News & Emerging Platforms Editor, US Vogue

Since its introduction in 2018, NEW WAVE: Creatives has cemented itself as a highly valued industry resource highlighting the most innovative and inspiring upcoming creatives working internationally. The dynamic list each year includes trailblazers from across multiple disciplines from artists, activists, casting agents, commentators, florists, hair and makeup artists, image makers, nail artists, set designers, stylists and writers.

This year will see 50 young talents from around the world celebrated as part of NEW WAVE: Creatives.

By becoming part of this year’s NEW WAVE: Creatives line-up, the final 50 will benefit from direct, ongoing access to the Steering Committee; A dedicated, sustained communications campaign including international PR, year-round social media support across the British Fashion Council’s channels, and a purpose-built portal on the BFC website acting as a go-to resource for the industry to facilitate recruitment of exceptional talent.

The final 50 will be announced at the end of November and will be celebrated as part of The Fashion Awards film, due to be released on Thursday 3^rd December 2020 to honour and celebrate the designers, brands, creatives and individuals who have created positive change within the fashion industry this year.

The Fashion Awards is a fundraiser for the BFC Foundation and focuses on celebrating excellence in the fashion industry and supporting the future pipeline of creative talent. The BFC Foundation (Registered Charity Number: 1185152) supports the future growth and success of the British fashion industry by focusing on three areas: Education, Grant-Giving & Business Mentoring and the Institute of Positive Fashion. The BFC Foundation aims to improve equality and opportunity so that the fashion industry remains diverse and open to all, helping talented designers at all stages of their career from school level through to becoming a global fashion brand.

The generosity and commitment of our partners is more vital than ever. Please help us by acknowledging our Official Partners Getty Images, LAVAZZA and Royal Salute for their support of The Fashion Awards 2020.