The Best of London’s Fashion Talent

The BFC/Vogue Designer Fashion Fund provides one designer with a bespoke, high level mentoring support programme over a twelve month period, as well as a £200,000 grant to provide the necessary infrastructure to take them to the next stage in its business. The 2016 shortlist is: Emilia Wickstead, Mother of Pearl,  Osman, Prism and Sophia Webster. 

The nominated designers are selected by the Fund Judging Committee and have all been chosen for their potential to develop into a global designer brand. Chaired by Alexandra Shulman OBE, Editor of British Vogue, the committee comprises of experts from across the fashion industry:

Caroline Rush CBE, British Fashion Council; Ian Lewis, Harrys of London Limited; Joan Burstein CBE, Browns; Lisa Armstrong, The Daily Telegraph; Mary Homer, Topshop; Samantha Cameron, British Fashion Council Ambassador; Sarah Manley, Burberry; Susanne Tide-Frater, Farfetch/Victoria Beckham; and Victoria Beckham.

Alexandra Shulman OBE, Editor of British Vogue and Chair of the Fund Committee, said about the shortlist: “This is an inspiring shortlist because of its diversity. It’s a great representation of the spread of British fashion designers and all the contenders have huge strengths to their creative visions.”

Caroline Rush CBE, Chief Executive of the British Fashion Council, commented, “We have been impressed by this year’s shortlist. These brands represent the best of London’s fashion talent as well as showing impressive business acumen. These designers all have the potential to become Britain’s next generation of global fashion brands.”

To coincide with the announcement, Harrods will be dedicating one of its world famous windows to the five shortlisted designers. Previous winners of the BFC/Vogue Designer Fashion Fund include Christopher Kane, Erdem, Mary Katrantzou, Nicholas Kirkwood and Peter Pilotto. The winner of the award will be announced Tuesday 22nd March 2016.