The British Fashion Council is pleased to announce this season’s ten emerging menswear talent who will receive NEWGEN MEN support, sponsored by TOPMAN, to showcase their SS17 collections at London Collections Men in June.
Designers are given support to stage a catwalk, salon show, presentation or an installation. This season seven designers continue to receive NEWGEN MEN support: Alex Mullins (salon show), Bobby Abley (catwalk), Cottweiler (catwalk), Craig Green (catwalk), Diego Vanassibara (installation), Liam Hodges (catwalk) and PIETER (presentation).
In addition three designers will be receiving NEWGEN MEN support for the first time this June. Recent Central Saint Martins graduate Kiko Kostadinov (presentation) is joined by Phoebe English (presentation), whose menswear brand is now in its third season, and MAN alumni Wales Bonner (salon show).
Agi & Sam, Astrid Andersen and Nasir Mazhar who’ve received the NEWGEN MEN sponsorship for the past six seasons have now successfully graduated from the talent identification scheme.
Jason Griffiths, Marketing Director of TOPMAN said: “It is fantastic to be welcoming new designers to the NEWGEN MEN fold for June, Grace Wales Bonner, Kiko Kostadinov and Phoebe English - I’m sure all eyes will be on these bright new stars as they unveil their inaugural NEWGEN MEN collections. In the same breath, I very much look forward to seeing the evolution of Alex Mullins, Bobby Abley, Cottweiler, Craig Green, Diego Vanassibara, Liam Hodges and PIETER who are continuing to develop and grow under the NEWGEN MEN initiative. We also look forward to watching this year’s alumni Agi & Sam, Astrid Andersen and Nasir Mazhar continue their journey as established brands; heralding all that is creative and exciting about emerging talent in London.”
As well as receiving showcasing opportunities the recipients are given financial support and business mentoring. Designers may make use of the financial support to grow or strengthen any aspect of their business, or towards the implementation of their shows, presentations and installations. The business support offered aims to build their businesses commercially and help them develop relationships with key press and buyers. The BFC is working with DLA Piper, RSM and Shaw Walker Lees to provide legal, commercial and accounting advice for the designers.
Caroline Rush CBE, Chief Executive of the BFC commented: “London has always been known for its celebration of emerging talent, and NEWGEN MEN is a key part of the innovative identity of London Collections Men. All ten of this season’s designers represent what is so special about British menswear in their own way, and I am eager to see their collections in the spotlight this June. The mentoring and support that NEWGEN MEN provides is invaluable, and watching the progress that it encourages is always exciting.”
NEWGEN MEN was established in September 2009 and has supported designers including Christopher Raeburn, Christopher Shannon, J.W.Anderson, James Long, Lee Roach, Lou Dalton and Sibling. It has been instrumental in raising the profile of emerging British menswear designers.
The NEWGEN MEN committee is made up of: Ben Banks, Four Marketing; Catherine Hayward, Esquire; Charlie Porter, Financial Times; Damien Paul, MATCHESFASHION.COM; Gordon Richardson, TOPMAN; Jason Griffiths, TOPMAN; Lulu Kennedy MBE, Fashion East; Robert Johnston, GQ; Sam Lobban, MR PORTER; Terry Betts, Thread. Members of the BFC on the committee include Anna Orsini, Barbara Grispini, Caroline Rush CBE and Laura Hinson.
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For press enquiries regarding NEWGEN MEN please contact:
Will Iron
British Fashion Council
will.iron@britishfashioncouncil.com
+44 (0) 20 7759 1968
For designers wishing to apply for NEWGEN MEN or to be part of London Collections Men, please contact:
Isabella Davey
British Fashion Council
isabella.davey@britishfashioncouncil.com
+44 (0) 20 7759 1978
For TOPMAN enquiries, please contact:
Kelly Reed
TOPMAN Press Office
kelly.reed@topman.com
+44 (0) 20 7291 2721