- Support for the next generation of British designers confirmed ahead of London Fashion Week.
- This funding was announced as part of Culture Secretary’s vision to maximise the potential of the Creative Industries.
- The funding will go towards the British Fashion Council (BFC) NEWGEN programme at London Fashion Week contributing to larger support and mentoring for independent emerging designers.
- The BFC is celebrating 30 years of the BFC NEWGEN programme this year.
During the REBEL: 30 Years of London Fashion sponsored by Alexander McQueen event at the Design Museum yesterday, the Culture Secretary confirmed £2 million in funding for BFC NEWGEN designers to showcase at London Fashion Week. The funding, earmarked earlier this year in the Creative Industries Sector Vision, will be spread across five fashion weeks over two years.
Through the NEWGEN programme, the BFC offers designers showcasing opportunities and mentoring from industry experts so they can build and sustain their businesses. This year celebrates 30 years of NEWGEN, which has given some of fashion’s biggest names their big breaks, including Ahluwalia, Alexander McQueen, Erdem, Grace Wales Bonner, JW Anderson, Martine Rose, Roksanda, Saul Nash and Simone Rocha.
BFC Chief Executive Caroline Rush said: “It is fantastic that for the first time the British Fashion Council will receive a direct grant from DCMS similar to Film and Music to support the next generation of designer talent. NEWGEN is an essential R&D programme for the global industry and central to the BFC strategy to celebrate British fashion on the world stage.”
Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer said: “Our fashion industry is world famous for its unrivalled creativity, innovation and producing some of the world’s most influential designers - that’s why it’s a priority sector for economic growth. The NEWGEN scheme has kickstarted the careers of some of our best UK-based designers who are making waves in the fashion world, and I’m delighted this funding will help the next crop of British fashion talent build businesses that can thrive for years to come.”