Mary Katrantzou Scoops £200,000 BFC/Vogue Fashion Fund Prize

Following our suspicion many months ago, we are pleased to reveal that London womenswear designer and Industry member Mary Katrantzou has been awarded this year’s BFC/Vogue Designer Fashion Fund.

The BFC/Vogue Designer Fashion Fund consists of a bespoke guidance and mentoring combination created to reinforce the ambition in Mary’s label, and also a grant of £200,000. Mary, known for her exquisite prints, defeated stiff competition from the likes of talented designers, Emilia Wickstead, Holly Fulton, Michael van der Ham, Mother of Pearl, Osman and Sophia Webster. Following in the footsteps of fellow Industry member, Jonathan Saunders who won the very same award in 2012, Mary has created a durable and hugely engaging identity for her brand, winning the overall vote of the panel, including editor of British Vogue, Alexandra Shulman (also an Industry member).

Mary picks up her trophy at her official winner's party

“Mary Katrantzou is incredibly deserving of this year’s award. It was an extremely diverse shortlist but ultimately we all agreed that Mary has not only created a strong and hugely appealing identity for her work but that she has put in place measures that, along with the support of this prize, should ensure an exciting and successful next stage of her career,” explained Alexandra.

Fellow Industry member and model, Laura Bailey photographed at the event

Caroline Rush, CEO of the British Fashion Council added: “A huge congratulations goes to Mary who has deservingly received this year’s BFC/Vogue Designer Fashion Fund. As anyone who has met her knows, she is a tireless worker, has an abundance of creativity and has grown from being one of London Fashion Week’s must-see emerging talents, to one of the world’s most talked about designers.”

With a five-year business plan and her ever-growing success, we are sure with the help of the BFC/Vogue Designer Fashion Fund, Mary will reach the height of her career.

Watch Mary being interviewed by Style.com's Davina Catt for The Industry on IND-TV.

Congratulations, Mary!