British Fashion Council announces funding and mentoring recipients

The British Fashion Council (BFC) has announced its annual programme of talent championing, supporting 34 designers and a number of students through mentoring and financial support grants.

The BFC Foundation supports the future growth and success of the British fashion industry by focusing on education, grant-giving and business mentoring, further enhancing the UK’s position as the best place to study, start and develop a fashion business.

In 2020/21, the BFC raised £1.7 million for its charity, the BFC Foundation and its talent support initiatives.

The charity activates four support initiatives and allocates several scholarships each year to students, aiming to strengthen those leading the way in terms of creativity, positive business growth, environmental and community impact.

The support initiatives are: BFC NEWGEN in partnership with TikTok, BFC/GQ Designer Menswear Fund, BFC Fashion Trust and BFC/Vogue Designer Fashion Fund.

The BFC has now unveiled the recipients of its initiatives for 2021/22:

NEWGEN IN PARTNERSHIP WITH TIKTOK
Ahluwalia, ART SCHOOL; ASAI, Bianca Saunders, Conner Ives, EFTYCHIA, FEBEN, HELEN KIRKUM, Labrum London, Matty Bovan, Nensi Dojaka, Paolo Carzana, Per Götesson, Richard Quinn, ROBYN LYNCH, ROKER, S.S.DALEY, Saul Nash, Stefan Cooke, SUPRIYA LELE, yuhan wang

BFC/GQ DESIGNER MENSWEAR FUND SHORTLIST
Ahluwalia; Bethany Williams; Bianca Saunders; Feng Chen Wang; Nicholas Daley; Stefan Cooke

BFC/VOGUE DESIGNER FASHION FUND
Bethany Williams

BFC FASHION TRUST
ART SCHOOL; Completedworks; E.L.V. DENIM; Halpern; NEOUS; Nicholas Daley; Wales Bonner

Caroline Rush CBE, Chief Executive British Fashion Council commented: “Now, more than ever, it is important to champion talent and to support our emerging and young businesses that lead the way in environmental and community impact while increasing the diversity of the talent pool.

“The UK has a reputation of having some of the most innovative and creative talent and through the BFC Foundation, our aim is to improve equality, equity, and opportunity so that the fashion industry remains open to all. Congratulations to all the designers and a big thank you to all the funders, judges and mentors for making the UK’s talent support network one of the most robust in the global market.”