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BFC/Vogue Designer Fashion Fund 2021 shortlist announced

Tom Bottomley
18 February 2021

The British Fashion Council (BFC) has today announced the shortlist of designers for the BFC/Vogue Designer Fashion Fund 2021.

The designers are Alighieri, ASAI, Bethany Williams, Chopova Lowena, Completedworks, E.L.V. Denim, Halpern, Kwaidan Editions, Olubiyi Thomas, Richard Malone and Supriya Lele.

Established in 2008, the fund aims to celebrate exceptional talent and empower businesses to play their part in positive growth through bespoke mentoring and awarding of a £200,000 cash prize.

The fund receives the generous support of British Vogue, Burberry, Clearpay and Paul Smith, and this year’s judging committee is chaired by Edward Enninful, Editor-in-Chief of British Vogue and European Editorial Director of Vogue.

The committee comprises of experts from across the fashion industry, including BFC Chief Executive, Caroline Rush, Burberry’s Chief Marketing Officer, Rod Manley, BFC Ambassador for Emerging Talent and Chief Critic of Vogue Runway, Sarah Mower, Matchesfashion.com’s Global Fashion Officer, Natalie Kingham and Fashion Editor at The Financial Times, Lauren Indvik, among others.

Edward Enninful, said: “The BFC Vogue Designer Fashion Fund is an integral initiative that supports emerging talent in the UK fashion industry. Now more than ever, we must continue to champion young designers who bring so much inspiration and diversity to British fashion. Congratulations to all the shortlisted designers who are a true representation of the high calibre of creative talent in the UK.”

Caroline Rush added: “This year’s shortlist demonstrates the incredible breadth of talent we have here in the UK and we are very excited to work with Edward and our new judging committee members and funders, who are joining Burberry and Paul Smith, who have supported the fund since its inception in 2008.”

For 2021, the fund criteria has been updated to reflect excellence in design and strong business acumen. The application process encouraged the designers to think strategically about how they are incorporating the three pillars of the Institute of Positive Fashion: Environment, People and Craftsmanship & Community into their brand.

The fund will help to bring new knowledge and the finance to put towards vital areas of designers’ businesses as well as advise all shortlisted designers on areas such as accountancy, merchandising, business strategy, international markets, retail and ecommerce.

The shortlisted designers will be interviewed by the Fund Judging Committee this coming March with the winner, or winners, announced in May, 2021.

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