The British Fashion Council (BFC) announced it is accepting applications for its internationally recognised talent support scheme Fashion Forward. Fashion designers that currently show on-schedule at London Fashion Week (LFW), and have either received NEWGEN funding within the last three years or are at a similar stage in their business development, are eligible to apply for sponsorship to show at LFW in February 2009.
The scheme, supported by Coutts & Co for the first time in February 2010, was established four years ago to provide funding for talented emerging British designers. This second stage scheme was introduced to give a further tier of support for the most promising designers as they emerged from NEWGEN. The award consists of a financial prize, to be used towards producing an on-schedule catwalk show at London Fashion Week, along with access to business support, from supporters including Baker Tilly and Shoosmiths, which provides them with knowledge required to further develop their businesses.
Previous winners include Christopher Kane, Erdem, Giles Deacon, Jonathan Saunders, Marios Schwab, Richard Nicoll, Sinha-Stanic and Roksanda Illincic. September 2009 recipients have already garnered a following of international influencers and are sold in directional stores and boutiques here in the UK and internationally.
Caroline Rush, Joint Chief Executive of the British Fashion Council commented, “The British Fashion Council’s Fashion Forward scheme plays a key role in building designer brands in London. Last season’s winners were amongst the London based designers who led the world fashion media headlines for their innovation. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Coutts & Co for supporting this exciting initiative throughout 2010”.
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