British Fashion Council NEWGEN winners announced

The British Fashion Council announced the names of 21 of London’s brightest emerging fashion design talents that will receive BFC NEWGEN sponsorship, supported by Topshop, to show at London Fashion Week  in September 2010.

NEWGEN, established in 1993, is one of the world’s most internationally recognised talent identification schemes. Its alumni include many great British designers including Alexander McQueen, Matthew Williamson, Boudicca, Giles Deacon, Jonathan Saunders and more recently designers who have directly contributed to the anticipation that surrounds London during LFW with their innovative vision and truly unique collections, including; Christopher Kane, Marios Schwab, Richard Nicoll, Erdem and Meadham Kirchhoff.

The recipients of catwalk sponsorship are David Koma, Holly Fulton, Mary Katrantzou, Michael van der Ham,  and Peter Pilotto. Presentation sponsorship was awarded to Craig Lawrence, Louise Gray and installation sponsorship toChristopher Raeburn, Dominic Jones, Fannie Schiavoni and Yang Du.

Exhibition sponsorship was given to Atalanta Weller, Chau Har Lee, Christopher Raeburn, Craig Lawrence, David Koma, Dominic Jones, Fannie Schiavoni, Felicity Brown, Heikki Salonen, Holly Fulton, Jordan Askill, J. JS Lee, JW Anderson, Louise Gray, Mark Fast, Mary Katrantzou, Michael Lewis, Michael van der Ham, Peter Pilotto, Sykes, Yang Du

Caroline Rush, Joint Chief Executive of the British Fashion Council commented, “NEWGEN is at the heart of the British Fashion Council’s talent identification, designer development and showcasing programme. This season we have a fantastic cross section of exciting, original and talented emerging designers who we’re confident will continue to strengthen London’s reputation as a creative capital.”  Sarah Mower, the BFC’s Ambassador for Emerging Talent, said, “The breadth of talent that has come forward this season is really exciting. London is growing to encompass jewellery and shoe designers as well as ready to wear designers of many nationalities who see Britain as the ideal platform for setting up new fashion enterprises. We're proud that, in tough times, this flourishing creativity is an asset to the UK economy, and that NEWGEN is one of the foundations of that unique London culture."

Mary Homer, Managing Director of Topshop adds "NEWGEN lies at the heart of London Fashion Week and ensures the rejuvenation and continued success of our fashion industry. Eighteen seasons on and Topshop's commitment to the scheme and its designers is stronger than ever, particularly in the current financial climate when investment in the future is more important than ever. This season there are twenty-one NEWGEN recipients, more than ever before, highlighting the density of emerging design talent in London and the healthy and ever-evolving state of our fashion industry.”

London Fashion Week will run from Friday 19th September – Wednesday 22rd September 2010 and will be located at Somerset House, Strand WC2.

Image: Peter Pilotto