CFE names New Fashion Pioneer designers

The Centre for Fashion Enterprise, the London-based business incubator, has named the six designers joining its New Fashion

Pioneer programme, which aims to nurture emerging London-based designers labels.

Joining the programme in June is: Alan Taylor, Ashley Williams, Edeline Lee, Nicomede Talavera, Helen Lawrence and Itokawa Film. The designers will receive tailored business support, such as free legal, business, sales and branding advice, which will identify and provide solutions for some of the issues that may be stifling growth in the early stages of business.

To qualify, designers needed to have been operational for at least two seasons, earn a minimum of 10,000 pounds in annual revenue, and have at least five stockists worldwide, in addition to strong press interest.

Commenting on joining the scheme, Ashley Williams said: “I am looking forward to being able to further my business through gaining knowledge and advice from speaking to people with expertise within their specific fields.”

Edeline Lee added: “I am so pleased to have the opportunity to work with the CFE. Their support and guidance has been invaluable for so many designers and I feel very lucky to have the benefit of their expertise in planning and developing my brand to the next stage.”

The CFE is supported by the London College of Fashion, the European Union’s Regional Development Fund, and the international law firm Olswang. The CFE Alumni includes over 200 designers, all of which have passed through the CFE’s programmes over the past decade including: Mary Katrantzou, Peter Pilotto, Erdem and Richard Nicoll.