Christopher Kane bags Vogue Fashion Fund

Christopher Kane is the winner of this year’s BFC / Vogue Designer Fashion Fund, the British Fashion Council announced. The £200,000 cash award is a boost to the brand's business development aimed at achieving the designer's goals

to become a global brand over the next twelve months.

Christopher Kane was selected for this award based on a his business plan and presentation at interview to the judging panel. The presentation demonstrated both Christopher and Tammy Kane’s determination to meet an ambitious plan, through appointments and brand development opportunities. Eight designers were shortlisted by a panel of representatives of Fund sponsors. All of those shortlisted were then invited to present their collections and future plans to the judging panel of Fund sponsor representatives and industry experts chaired by Alexandra Shulman, Editor of British Vogue. All of those shortlisted will have access to support from the mentoring panel either directly or through Marigay McKee, Harrods Director of Fashion and Beauty who will chair the mentoring panel.

The Christopher Kane label was set up in 2006 and is jointly owned by Christopher and his sister and collaborator Tammy. Christopher trained at Central Saint Martins and won ‘New Designer of the Year’ at the British Fashion Awards in 2007. He also designs for Versus and his own name label is stocked in stores around the world including Barneys, Jeffreys, Browns, Liberty, Dover Street Market, Harvey Nichols, Net-a-Porter, Joyce, Maria Luisa, Printemps, and Corso Como.

The Fund was launched by BFC Chairman Harold Tillman in September 2008. Vogue, headline sponsor, whose March issue is on sale early February will showcase the talents of all eight finalists.

Christopher Kane, said “I am absolutely delighted to be this year’s winner of the BFC /Vogue Designer Fashion Fund. It is such an honour to receive this accolade especially when I have such huge respect for all the nominees. The prize enables us to implement our strategic vision for the Christopher Kane business going forward. We would like to thank everyone involved in making this decision and all those who have helped establish our business. We would especially like to thank our team who work incredibly hard every day and without whom none of this would be possible.”

BFC Chairman, Harold Tillman CBE, commented “The BFC/Vogue Designer Fashion Fund is focused on celebrating talents that have the potential to be successful British brands of the future. The judging panel and funding is underpinned by leading business men and women in the industry to identify those with the potential and vision to succeed. All finalists presented professional plans and although the competition was incredibly close, Christopher Kane’s success to date and brand development proposition secured him the prize this year.”

Alexandra Shulman, Editor of British Vogue, said "I am delighted that Christopher Kane has won this year's award. His last collection was one of his best with a strong point of view but also clothes that all of us want to wear. He represents the best of British fashion talent - original, determined and influential.”

Image: Christopher & Tammy Kane