BFC/Vogue Designer Fashion Fund shortlist for 2014 announced

Emilia Wickstead, House of Holland, Mary Katrantzou, Osman,

Peter Pilotto and Zoe Jordan are the nominated designers who have been shortlisted for the 2014 British Fashion Council/Vogue Designer Fashion fund.

“I am very pleased with the names on this year’s shortlist. They are a group of considerable talent, demonstrating the wealth of ideas and creativity to be found in the fashion industry in the UK,” commented Alexandra Shulman, editor of British Vogue and chair of the fund committee.

According to the BFC, each of the nominated designers is current in a good position to further develop into a globally recognized designer brand and 'represent the best of London's thriving fashion talent'.

The BFC/Vogue designer fashion fund grants one winning designer each year 200,000 pounds to help the designer develop their brand as well as offering a support program over a 12 month period to take the next step with their businesses. Previous winners of the BFC/Vogue designer fashion fund include Jonathan Saunders and Nicholas Kirkwood.

Caroline Rush, chief executive of the BFC, said: “The BFC/Vogue Designer Fashion Fund has a proven track record of enabling British designers to make the transition from rising stars to incredible international businesses. The strength of this year’s shortlist represents a generation of talent who are ready for the financial and mentoring support the fund offers.”

The winner of the award will be announced next year on January 28.