The British Fashion Council (BFC) is thrilled to announce the shortlisted designers for the BFC/Vogue Designer Fashion Fund 2025 (BFC/VDFF).
Conner Ives | DI PETSA | Dilara Findikoglu | Edeline Lee | Talia Byre
Established in 2008, the BFC/VDFF celebrates exceptional talent and creativity and empowers business growth through bespoke high-level mentoring and professional services. BFC/VDFF 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. The BFC/VDFF awards designer businesses with a cash prize of £150,000 to support their contribution to the British and global fashion ecosystem. The Fund receives the generous support of British Vogue, Burberry and Paul Smith.
This year’s judging panel is chaired by Caroline Rush CBE, Chief Executive, British Fashion Council and Chioma Nnadi, Head of Editorial Content of British Vogue. The panel comprises of experts from across the fashion industry: Alexa Chung, Designer, Model, Author; Alva Claire, Fashion Model; Harry Lambert, Stylist, Co-Creative Director, Pleasing, Contributing Fashion Editor, British Vogue; IB Kamara, Editor in Chief, Dazed and Art and Creative Director, Off-White; Jonathan Kiman, Chief Marketing Officer, Burberry; Julia Hobbs, Fashion Features Director, British Vogue; Laura Ingham, Deputy Director, Global Fashion Network, British Vogue; Sally Britton, Partner (Intellectual Property, Co-head of Retail), Mishcon de Reya and Sarah Mower MBE, Chief Critic, Vogue.com and BFC Ambassador for Emerging Talent.
Caroline Rush CBE, Chief Executive, British Fashion Council: “Congratulations to all of this year’s shortlisted designers, who are a true reflection of the creativity, raw talent and innovation that make British fashion so distinctive. Their work reflects the originality and craftsmanship that drive this industry forward and position the UK as a fashion capital globally. We are incredibly grateful to our funders for their continued support in helping these businesses grow and succeed.”
Chioma Nnadi, Head of Editorial Content, British Vogue: “One of the great honours of my role at British Vogue is to see many talented young designers develop through their careers, so the opportunity to tangibly support these people through this fund is incredible. This shortlist represents a remarkable snapshot of the creativity and energy coming out of Britain right now, and I’m hugely looking forward to chairing this judging panel alongside Caroline.”
EDITOR’S NOTES
The Fund criteria reflect the values of excellence in design and strong business acumen. The applicants’ collections should consist primarily of womenswear and/or womenswear accessories. All gender collections are also eligible. The application process also encourages brands to think strategically about the three pillars of the Institute of Positive Fashion (Environment, People, and Community & Craftsmanship). The Fund provides the winner with a cash prize to support their growth and contribution to the British and global fashion ecosystem, alongside pro-bono bespoke high-level business mentoring and professional services. The shortlisted designers will be interviewed by the Fund Judging panel with the winner/s announced in May.
BFC/VDFF is part of the BFC Foundation (Registered Charity Number: 1185152) 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. The BFC Foundation further enhances the UK’s position as the best place to study, start and develop a fashion business. The charity activates four support initiatives and allocates several scholarships each year to students, aiming to strengthen those leading the way in terms of creativity, positive business growth, environmental and community impact as well as to increase the diversity of the talent pool.
For financial year 2023/2024 the BFC invested £619,00 in education supporting 39 designers through scholarships and designer support schemes: National Saturday Clubs, BFC NEWGEN, BFC/GQ Designer Fashion Fund, BFC/Vogue Designer Fashion Fund and BFC Fashion Trust.
Previous winners of the BFC/VDFF include Chopova Lowena (2024), 16Arlington (2023), Richard Quinn (2022), Bethany Williams (2021), WALES BONNER (2019), Molly Goddard (2018), Mother of Pearl & palmer//harding (2017), Sophia Webster (2016), Mary Katrantzou (2015), Nicholas Kirkwood (2013), Christopher Kane (2011) and Erdem (2010).
With thanks to Mishcon de Reya for their pro-bono legal services, and the BFC Fashion Business Network and one-to-one mentors.