The British Fashion Council (BFC) today announced the shortlist
for the BFC/Vogue
Designer Fashion Fund. The shortlisted designers represent the best
developing British Womenswear, Menswear and Accessories labels. The
shortlisted designers; Charlotte
Olympia, Christopher Kane, E.
Tautz, Jonathan
Saunders, Nicholas
Kirkwood, OSMAN,
Peter
Pilotto and Richard
Nicoll, have all been identified as labels with potential for
significant international growth.
The eight shortlisted designers have been invited to present their
collections and future plans to the judging panel chaired by Alexandra
Shulman, Editor of British Vogue, comprising industry experts and Fund
sponsors.
The Fund, now in its second year, will provide one British based
designer with £200,000 as well as a bespoke, high level mentoring
support programme. All seven runners-up will also be allocated a mentor
through the Fund. British Vogue will document the judging process and
announce the winner in its March 2011 issue.
In order to be eligible for this scheme, designers must have an
established business, must be based in the UK, as well as having UK and
international stockists and support from key media both UK and
internationally. The winner will demonstrate a clear vision for their
business and how the Fund will contribute to their growth and their
infrastructure, with a focus on creating a strong international brand.
The Fund was launched by BFC Chairman Harold Tillman in September 2008
as a legacy project for the BFC’s 25th anniversary celebrations. The aim
of The Fund is to assist talented British designers with the potential
for commercial growth to start making the transition from a developing
creative business to a global fashion brand.
The BFC/Vogue Designer Fashion Fund is supported by: Burberry, Clothing
at Tesco, Debenhams, Harrods, House of Fraser, HSBC, Jaeger &
Aquascutum, LF Europe, Marks & Spencer, Paul Smith, TONI&GUY,
TOPSHOP, VOGUE and Westfield Shopping Towns.
BFC Chairman, Harold Tillman, commented “The British Fashion Council’s
Vogue Designer Fashion Fund offers incredibly talented British designers
an unparalleled opportunity. The high level financial support and
bespoke mentoring package will play a pivotal role in developing the
winning designer business on an international platform. We’re very proud
to be able to offer our promising designers this support and I would
like to take this opportunity to thank all of our funders.”
Alexandra Shulman, Editor of British Vogue, said “It is very exciting to
be in our second year of the Fund and to be providing such tangible
help to this extremely impressive shortlist of British designers”
Find out more about the BFC/Vogue Designer Fashion Fund
Image: Erdem spring/summer 2011, winner of the BFC/Vogue Designer Fashion Fund 2010