British Fashion Council (BFC) is delighted to announce that following the initial £1,000,000 made available for the BFC Foundation Fashion Fund, the organisation raised an additional £500,000, allowing applications to reopen for a second round.
The BFC Foundation Fashion Fund was established in March, to support creative fashion businesses and individuals to survive the Covid-19 crisis. In May 2020, the BFC gave financial support and mentoring to 37 British designer businesses, with grants taken from the £1,000,000 emergency fund allocated to viable businesses depending on their urgency and capability to come through and thrive post crisis. A portion of funds was allocated to students, underpinning the future generation of creative talent. The BFC continues to fundraise and will reopen applications every time the £500,000 milestone is reached.
The BFC would like to thank Alexander McQueen, Amazon Fashion, Browns, Cadogan, Clearpay, The Coach Foundation and John Lewis & Partners for their generous donations. Profits from the sales of the Great British Designers Face Coverings project in collaboration with Bags of Ethics also contributed to reaching the first milestone. Participating designers include Halpern, Julien Macdonald, Liam Hodges, Mulberry, RAEBURN and RIXO. Retailers for the project include ASOS, Boots, John Lewis & Partners, Sainsbury’s and Waitrose.
Hugh Seaborn, Chief Executive, Cadogan said: “Independent brands contribute so much to the distinctive and compelling character of both Chelsea and Britain’s fashion industry. That is why we are delighted to support the British Fashion Council Foundation Fund for the Covid Crisis in nurturing emerging talent and providing emergency funding to viable businesses in need of support. Chelsea’s rich heritage has contributed extensively to the cultural, arts and fashion scenes both nationally and globally over the years. Exceptional talents have emerged from local boutiques and studios and we need to do all we can to provide support to the next generation of designers and creative fashion businesses. Britain continues to be a world leader in fashion and our aim is to help maintain this. As long-term stewards of Chelsea, our desire is to ensure that this area remains exciting and vibrant for future generations. Supporting the future growth and success of independents that make this area so special is absolutely paramount.
We are delighted to be partnering with the BFC Foundation and look forward to working closely with them over the next year.”
BFC would also like to thank all of those that have made the funds for the initial first round possible and our partners in the BFC/Vogue Designer Fashion Fund, BFC/GQ Designer Menswear Fund supported by JD.COM,INC, BFC Fashion Trust and BFC NEWGEN: ARCH & HOOK, BFC Fashion Trust Supporters, British GQ, British Vogue, Browns, Burberry, depop, European Regional Development Fund, HSBC, JD.COM,INC, Label/Mix, Mayor of London, Paul Smith, Revlon Professional, Rodial and The Bicester Village Shopping Collection.
To apply for the BFC Foundation Fashion Fund click here. Deadline to submit applications is Friday 7th August 2020.