BFC to present largest public fashion exhibition

The British Fashion Council in partnership with the British Council has confirmed that the fourth edition of its annual emerging international fashion designer exhibition will mark the largest public fashion exhibition of its kind in February.

The event, which marks the only BFC initiative that is open to the public during London Fashion Week, will feature 130 emerging designers from 30 countries covering 4 continents presenting their designs at Brewer Street Car Park in London from February 20-24.

Organised in collaboration with embassies and international cultural institutions in London, the IFS aims to showcase the most interesting emerging designers through exhibitions grouped by country, each reflecting contemporary culture in each nation.

Highlights for the fourth showcase include Columbia’s exhibition curated by Liliana Sanguino, which will show the country’s traditional basket weaving, print and quilting techniques. There will also be a special showcase from Japan presenting collections that explore two extremes of contemporary fashion in Japan – the minimalist sensibility of traditional clothing (wafuku) and Japanese interpretations of Western-style dress (yofuku), while Poland will showcase an installation recreating three scenes, including couture pieces in an apartment setting; ready-to-wear presented in a street scene; and a Polish “night out”.

Nigeria will also be a country to look out for at the exhibition as it presents five designers including Lagos Fashion Week Young Designers alumni Kenneth Ize and Adebayo Oke-lawal, the designer behind LVMH Prize shortlisted label, Orange Culture.

International Fashion Showcase announces fourth edition

Sarah Mower, BFC ambassador for emerging talent, said: "The International Fashion Showcase is a unique project and the first to promote the work of emerging young designers from all over the world on such a large scale. It builds on London's reputation for shining the spotlight on young talent and celebrating diverse fashion cultures."

The exhibition will also feature an ‘Ones to Watch’ area curated by On Off with countries including the Netherlands, Morocco, Pakistan and Thailand, as well as a prize-giving ceremony honouring a country, a curator and a designer.

In addition, there will also be a designer mentoring programme facilitated by London College of Fashion, the Designer Support Programme will bring together a network of LCF affiliated academics and researchers, to help designers prepare for the showcase by offering them mentoring opportunities and seminars on business development during IFS. A collaboration with Fashion Scout will also offer designers involved in IFS the opportunity to show their work in a group catwalk show.

The IFS exhibition takes place at Brewer Street Car Park in London from February 20-24, during London Fashion Week.

Image: International Fashion Showcase