BFC/Vogue Fashion Fund designers unveiled

The British Fashion Council has announced that nine designers have been shortlist for the BFC/Vogue Designer Fashion Fund 2012. This year’s shortlisted designers are: Jonathan Saunders, Marios Schwab, Mary Katrantzou, Meadham Kirchhoff,

 Nicholas Kirkwood, Peter Pilotto, Richard Nicoll, Roksanda Ilincic, and Zoe Jordan.
 
The shortlist represents ‘the best developing womenswear and accessories labels in British fashion today’, and each designer will present their collections and future plans to the judging panel of Fund sponsor representatives and industry opinion-formers, chaired by Alexandra Shulman, Editor of British Vogue.
 
The BFC/Vogue Designer Fashion Fund, now in its third year, will provide one British-based designer with a bespoke, high-level mentoring support programme over a twelve-month period, as well as £200,000. All eight runners-up will also be allocated a mentor through the Fund. The entire judging process and winner announcement will be documented in British Vogue’s March 2012 issue.
 
The aim of the Fund is to support talented British designers with the potential for commercial growth to start making the transition from a developing creative business to an international fashion brand.
 
Harold Tillman CBE, Chairman of the BFC, commented “The calibre of this year’s BFC/Vogue Designer Fashion Fund shortlist reflects the exceptional talent that exists within the British Fashion industry today. Each designer has enhanced the capital’s profile as a centre of fashion innovation, and we are proud to be able to offer the winning designer the financial support and mentoring needed to help their brand grow internationally.”
 
Previous winners of the BFC/Vogue Designer Fashion Fund are Christopher Kane and Erdem.
 
Image: Meadham Kirchhoff SS12