Centre for Fashion Enterprise announces new fashion pioneers

The Centre for Fashion Enterprise (CFE), London's pioneering fashion and fashtech business incubator, has announced the five designers joining its Fashion Pioneer Programme, starting this spring, including emerging womenswear talent Asai Takeaway, Gayeon Lee, Fun Affair, De La Vali and sustainably-minded Wright Le Chapelain.

Starting April 2019, this three-month compressed Pioneer Programme will help designers to navigate the complexities of running a fashion SME and meet the specific needs of each business through expert workshops and individual tailored support across branding, digital, business planning, sales strategy, production, finance and legal.

Wright Le Chapelain said: “We are very grateful to have been selected to be part of the CFE fashion pioneer programme. Last year we took part in the Market Entry programme and as a young brand, we are aware of how important support is in order to grow and reach our goals. We look forward to starting the programme and to keep on developing with the help of professionals and experts in their field.”

Fresh out of FashionEast, Asai has garnered attention for his fun and youthful digital print jersey pieces and is now evolving his aesthetic for AW19 introducing grown-up outwear and tailoring. Similarly, Imogen Wright and Vincent Le Chapelain have developed a tailored aesthetic for women, playing with masculine cuts to create relaxed and highly wearable silhouettes. Fun Affair and Gayeon Lee offer reimaginings of classically feminine shapes, while De La Vali made a name for themselves dressing the Ibiza’s celebrity party-goers, in free-spirited and feminine party attire before moving to London to grow their brand.

The Centre for Fashion Enterprise provides tailored mentoring and strategic guidance to help brands navigating the complexities of running a business by offering:

• free advice with specialists, on topics like production and managing cash flow;
• a nurturing and supportive mentoring service;
• access to networking opportunities and events.