Today the British Fashion Council (BFC) announces the shortlisted designers for the BFC/Vogue Designer Fashion Fund 2019.
A.W.A.K.E. MODE l Alighieri l Charles Jeffrey LOVERBOY l David Koma l NEOUS l Rejina Pyo l WALES BONNER
Established in 2008, The Fund aims to discover new talent and accelerate growth over a twelve-month period through mentoring and awarding a cash prize of £200,000. The BFC/Vogue Designer Fashion Fund receives the generous support of British Vogue, Burberry, JD.com, Inc., Label/Mix, Paul Smith, Rodial and TOPSHOP.
Applications are encouraged from all over the UK, with many not shortlisted put on the radar of the high-profile industry judging committee for the first time.
This year’s judging committee is chaired by Edward Enninful OBE, Editor-in-Chief of British Vogue. The committee comprises of experts from across the fashion industry: Caroline Rush CBE, British Fashion Council; Erdem Moralioglu, ERDEM; Gemma Metheringham, LABEL/MIX; Maria Hatzistefanis, Rodial; Rod Manley, Burberry; Sarah Mower MBE, BFC Ambassador for Emerging Talent & Vogue Runway; Paul Price, Topshop and Xia Ding, JD.com, Inc.
The application process encourages brands to think strategically about the Fund’s core objective of business growth. All shortlisted designers will receive a full mentoring programme through the BFC’s Business Support team, with access to funders and other industry experts.
The Fund awards one designer and helps bring new knowledge to businesses and the finance put towards a full time or consultant team member but also to advise on areas such as accountancy, merchandising, business strategy, international growth, retail and e-commerce.
Edward Enninful OBE, Editor-in-Chief of British Vogue and Chair of the Fund Committee, said: “The BFC Vogue Designer Fashion Fund continues to be a vital initiative within the UK fashion industry. The shortlisted designers have all shown immense talent and business acumen to date.”
Caroline Rush CBE, Chief Executive of the British Fashion Council, commented: "Congratulations to all the shortlisted designers! It is a very exciting line-up which shows the breadth of talent we have here in the UK. Now more than ever, it is essential for our industry to help and mentor new talent with the potential to become the next global fashion house and I am delighted that the Fund is able to do so for the 11th consecutive year.”
The shortlisted designers will be interviewed by the Fund Judging Committee on Friday 15th March 2019 with the winner being announced on Wednesday 1st May 2019.
Previous winners of the BFC/Vogue Designer Fashion Fund include Christopher Kane, Erdem, Mary Katrantzou, Molly Goddard, Mother of Pearl, Nicholas Kirkwood, palmer//harding, Peter Pilotto and Sophia Webster.
The BFC/Vogue Designer Fashion Fund is proudly supported by British Vogue, Burberry, JD.com, Label/Mix, Paul Smith, Rodial and Topshop.