BFC announces BFC/Vogue Designer Fashion Fund 2025 shortlist

The British Fashion Council (BFC) has announced the five shortlisted designers for its BFC/Vogue Designer Fashion Fund 2025 (BFC/VDFF).

The BFC/VDFF was established in 2008 for promising designers at the relative start of their career. Its aim is to celebrate exceptional talent and creativity, as well as empowering business growth through bespoke high-level mentoring and professional services.

The fund is part of the BFC Foundation and brings all of the BFC's charitable initiatives under one name, in a future-facing effort to support the growth and success of the UK fashion industry.

The fund grants designers with £150,000 to support their contribution to this industry, as well as the wider global fashion ecosystem. The Fund receives generous support from British Vogue, Burberry and Paul Smith.

This year's shortlist consists of Conner Ives, Di Petsa, Dilara Findikoglu, Edeline Lee and Talia Byre.  

The 2025 judging panel is chaired by Caroline Rush, Chief Executive of the BFC (pictured) and Chioma Nnadi, Head of Editorial Content for British Vogue.

Also on the panel are Alexa Chung, Designer, Model and Author; Alva Claire, Fashion Model; Harry Lambert, Stylist, Co-Creative Director at Pleasing and Contributing Fashion Editor at British Vogue; IB Kamara, Editor-in-chief at Dazed and Art and Creative Director of Off-White; Jonathan Kiman, Chief Marketing Officer at Burberry; Julia Hobbs, Fashion Features Director at British Vogue; Laura Ingham, Deputy Director at the Global Fashion Network, British Vogue; Sally Britton, Partner (Intellectual Property, Co-head of Retail) at Mishcon de Reya, and Sarah Mower MBE, Chief Critic at Vogue.com and BFC Ambassador for Emerging Talent.

Rush said: “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.”

Nnadi also commented: “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 shortlistepresents 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.”