We are thrilled to announce the recipients of its 2024/25 BFC Foundation BA and MA Scholarships. The scholarships provide funding through the BFC Foundation to those who have an offer from or are currently studying for an MA or BA Fashion Design course at a BFC Colleges Council member university. Awarded students will have access to the BFC Scholars Programme, alongside a series of events and industry workshops to support in their creative development. The BFC is committed to securing and future proofing the next generation of creative talent and therefore the work of the BFC Foundation is crucial.
Seven new MA students will be awarded this year, joining three current MA recipients. Additionally, nine new BA students will be awarded this year, joining eight returning BA recipients. All applications are assessed based on talent and need, using information provided during the application process including the applicant’s portfolio and financial circumstances. Shortlisted applications are reviewed by panels consisting of fashion educators and key industry representatives.
Caroline Rush, Chief Executive, British Fashion Council: “A huge congratulations to this year's BFC Foundation BA and MA Scholars. This achievement is a testament to your vision, dedication and hard work. Nurturing and securing the future of fashion talent lies at the very core of our mission at the BFC and we recognise the need for tangible support during this critical phase of a student’s creative and technical evolution. We are very excited to follow the journey of this exceptional cohort over the course of the academic year and into the future.”
Sarah Mower (Panel Chair), Chief Critic, Vogue Runway, BFC Ambassador for Emerging Talent: “Raising funds to award scholarships is central to the purpose of the British Fashion Council. We’re floored by the potential and talent of the students every year, excited and humbled to learn from what they represent. Congratulations to them. As chair of the committee, I’m incredibly grateful to everyone who dedicates their time to ensuring students can continue their education, and mentoring them. We are only able to do this thanks to everyone who steps up to donate to the future of young people, and to CHANEL, Dior MEN and the Joe Casely-Hayford family. Their commitment to providing financial and enriching industry experiences is an example I urge more companies to join in.”
MA Scholarship Recipients
This year’s recipients are UAL Central Saint Martins students Oliver Clarke, William Palmer and Yodea Marquel Williams, and UAL London College of Fashion student Geraint Brian Lewis. Alongside returning MA scholars Benjamin Savizon, Royal College of Art, and Frankie Staples, UAL Central Saint Martins. The MA Scholarship is available to students accepted on an MA Fashion Design course at a BFC Colleges Council member university. The scholarship goes towards course tuition fees, or course costs and living expenses, including the production of a final year collection.
CHANEL MA Scholarship Recipients
This year’s recipient is Arielle Uno-Ekwang, UAL Central Saint Martins. Now in its fifth year, this MA Scholarship funded by CHANEL covers contributions to course tuition fees, course costs and living expenses, including the production of a final year collection. The scholarship also provides bespoke mentoring opportunities from the CHANEL team and Amanda Harlech will continue to support students, providing insight and counsel for the duration of their MA studies.
DIOR MEN MA Scholarship Recipient
This year’s Dior MEN MA Scholarship recipient is George Zverko, UAL Central Saint Martins. Now in its fifth year, the MA Scholarship funded by Dior MEN covers a contribution towards tuition fees, course-related costs and living expenses, including the production of a final year collection. Additionally, scholars benefit from direct mentorship and guidance from the Dior MEN design team, who provide invaluable advice and support throughout the duration of the scholarship.
Joe Casely-Hayford Scholarship Recipients
Following the success of the MA Joe Casely-Hayford scholarship which was launched in 2023, this year, the Casely-Hayford family will extend their critical support by providing funding and mentoring to two BA students. Megan Alloh and Nafisat Oluwatimisola Shasanya, both in their final year of study, UAL Central Saint Martins are this year’s BA recipients.
The returning MA Scholar is Taya Francis, Nottingham Trent University. The Joe Casely-Hayford MA and BA Scholarships honour Joe’s incredible legacy, providing funding and support to young talent from Black and mixed heritage backgrounds as they start their journey in the fashion industry. Through this scholarship, students will have the opportunity to receive advice and mentoring from the Casely-Hayford family and team.
BA Scholarship Recipients
This year’s recipients are Abdula Ahmad, UAL Central Saint Martins; Ayobami Ajetomobi UAL Central Saint Martins; Cléa Henry-Gabriel-Calixte, UAL Central Saint Martins; Molly Putner, Kingston University and Reuben Harris, University of Westminster. The BA scholars returning this year are: Aaron Adkins, Manchester Fashion Institute; Aliyah Dankwah, University of Westminster; Ayham Hassan,UAL Central Saint Martins; James Rowland, University of Westminster; Luke Saul, UAL Central Saint Martins; Roy Carmona, UAL Central Saint Martins and Zahra Al-Najjar, UAL Central Saint Martins. The BA Scholarship is open to students commencing their degree or part way through, who have a confirmed place on a BA Fashion Design course at a BFC Colleges Council member university. The scholarship goes towards course tuition fees with a contribution to course costs or living expenses.
BA Final Year Scholarship Recipients
This year’s recipients are Kyra Ho, Glasgow School of Art; Sabrina Nieddu, University of Brighton and Renée-Shanel Edwards, University of Westminster. The BA Final Year Scholarship is open to students in their final year of a BA Fashion Design course at a BFC Colleges Council member university. The funding aims to cover costs for students’ final collections.
Charlie Casely-Hayford, Director, Casely-Hayford: "Being part of the BFC Foundation Scholarship judging panel has been a profound experience. The Joe Casely-Hayford Scholarship represents more than financial support to me; it’s a recognition of the cultural narratives that students from Black and mixed heritage backgrounds carry with them, and an invitation to explore this intersection of creativity and identity in fashion, just as my old man strived to do throughout his career. These individuals have the potential to interrogate the status quo and challenge prevailing aesthetics with their often overlooked perspectives. By investing in their journeys, we’re not just supporting the next generation of designers—we’re curating a richer tapestry of ideas that can inject our industry with what I see as a deeper sense of authenticity and purpose. If fashion is meant to be a lens which amplifies identity, expression and cultural reflection, then it’s crucial that we elevate these voices, as they will lead us into an era where the industry finally reflects the true cultural depths of society."
The 2024/25 panels were chaired by Sarah Mower MBE, Chief Critic, Vogue Runway & BFC Ambassador for Emerging Talent and included: Amanda Harlech, Creative Consultant & Writer; Amanda Johnston, Curator & Education Lead, The Sustainable Angle; Andrew Ibi, Artist, Designer & Educator, Co-Founder, BOLD; Co-Founder, FACE; Anna Orsini, Strategic Consultant, BFC; Caroline Issa, Chief Executive & Fashion Director, TANK; Charlie Casely-Hayford, Director, Casely-Hayford; Ida Gateley, Co-founder, Ida Petersson; Jeanie Annan-Lewin, Creative Director, The Perfect Magazine; Joanna Allison, PR Director, CHANEL; Karen Binns, Creative Director, Stylist & Consultant; Kenya Hunt, Editor-in-Chief, ELLE UK; Lynette Nylander, Executive Digital Director, Harper’s Bazaar US; Mimma Viglezio, Creative Consultant, Editor & Broadcaster; Nasir Mazhar, Designer and Founder, Fantastic Toiles; Paolo Carzana, Founder & Designer, Paolo Carzana; Stavros Karelis, Founder Creative & Buying Director, MACHINE-A and Tamsin Blanchard, Fashion Journalist, Editor & Writer.
For 2024/2025 the BFC Foundation (Registered Charity Number: 1185152) made £253,000 available to its twenty-seven MA and BA scholars. The BFC Foundation brings all the BFC 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. Link to scholars’ web page here.