BFC HAS announced the shortlisted designers for this year’s Designer Fashion Fund. For 2021, applicants were instructed to incorporate the three pillars of the Institute of Positive Fashion: Environment, People and Craftsmanship and Community into their brand in new and innovative ways.
The shortlisted designers are Alighieri, ASAI, Bethany Williams, Chopova Lowena, Completedworks, E.L.V. Denim, Halpern, Kwaidan Editions, Olubiyi Thomas, Richard Malone, Supriya Lele.
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Chopova Lowena
BFCVDFF awards talent that welcomes new knowledge and the finances will be invested in the designer’s business and also put towards advising the shortlisted designers on areas of business including strategy, accountancy, international markets and e-commerce.
Bethany Williams
ASAI
This year, Edward Enninful OBE is chair judge of the award. He is accompanied on the judging panel by several fashion industry experts: Caroline Rush CBE, Chief Executive, British Fashion Council; Adut Akech, Model; Julia Sarr, Fashion Director, British Vogue; Lauren Indvik, Fashion Editor, Financial Times; Natalie Kingham, Global Fashion Officer, Matchesfashion.com; Rod Manley, Chief Marketing Officer, Burberry; Sarah Harris, Deputy Editor & Fashion Features Director, British Vogue and Sarah Mower MBE, BFC Ambassador for Emerging Talent & Chief Critic, Vogue Runway.
Michael Halpern
The Fund Judging Committee will interview the shortlisted designers in March and the winners will be announced in May.
The BFC Vogue Designer Fashion Fund (BFCVDFF) aims to celebrate remarkable talent and empower businesses to encourage positive growth through mentoring, offering a cash-prize of £200,000. The Fund is generously supported by British Vogue, Burberry, Clearpay and Paul Smith.
by Amie Bawa