We are delighted to announce its BFC Fashion Trust grant recipients for 2024. The BFC Fashion Trust is a charitable initiative that accelerates business growth with financial grants and mentoring through the BFC Foundation. Grant money is awarded to recipients who have identified a specific area within their business that they would like to grow and deliver within a set period of time. The BFC Fashion Trust grant recipients 2024 are:
Completedworks | Conner Ives | E.L.V. Denim | Helen Kirkum | LABRUM London | TOVE
Since its inception in 2011, the BFC Fashion Trust has awarded over £3 million to 58 designer businesses to promote business growth and fund the implementation of practical solutions. These include long term strategic plans on topics such as merchandising, e-commerce, production, sampling, and more. Previous BFC Fashion Trust recipients include Chopova Lowena, Christopher Kane, David Koma, Emilia Wickstead, Erdem, Mary Katrantzou, Molly Goddard, Rejina Pyo, Roksanda, Sophia Webster and Wales Bonner.
The BFC Fashion Trust is part of the BFC Foundation which brings all the BFC’s charitable initiatives under one umbrella supporting the future growth and success of the British fashion industry by focusing on three areas: Education, Grant-Giving and Business Mentoring.
Caroline Rush CBE, Chief Executive British Fashion Council said: “A huge congratulations to the 2024 BFC Fashion Trust recipients. We are thrilled to support the recipients as they grow specific areas of their business, enabling them to develop their strategy and become globally successful brands. This group of designers embody creativity, innovation and agility and it’s been inspiring to watch them tackle the industry’s key issues and thrive in a turbulent landscape. We look forward to seeing their continued impact.”
The categories eligible for funding include all ready-to-wear collections and/or accessories. Recipients were selected by a judging panel from a shortlist of designers that had been identified by a sift panel. The judging panel was chaired by Yvie Hutton, Director of Membership & Designer Relations, British Fashion Council, and included Anna Orsini, Strategic Consultant, British Fashion Council; Daniel Peters, Founder and Lead Strategist, Fashion Minority Report; Laura Strain, Chief Operating Officer, British Fashion Council; Narmina Marandi, Investor, Philanthropist and Co-Chair BFC Foundation Fundraising Committee; Scott Morrison, Founder, Boom!; Sian Westerman, Senior Advisor, Rothschild, and Executive Board, British Fashion Council; Sylvie Freund-Pickavance, Group Strategy and Business Development Director, Value Retail and Tania Fares, Co-Founder at Fashion Trust Arabia and Fashion Trust U.S and Co-Chair BFC Foundation Fundraising Committee.
The BFC Fashion Trust would like to thank Taylor Wessing for their pro bono legal services. With thanks to Zedonk, the Fashion Business Network, and one-to-one mentors for their ongoing support.