BFC announces NEWGEN winners for spring/summer 2016

17 Jul '15

3 min read

The British Fashion Council (BFC) has announced nine of London’s brightest emerging talents who will receive sponsorship to showcase their spring/summer 2016 collections at London Fashion Week (September 18 – September 22) from NEWGEN. They will be sponsored by British multinational fashion retailer of clothing, shoes, make-up and accessories Top Shop, BFC said in a press statement.

Each of the NEWGEN designers will again be given a dedicated pop-up showroom for four hours after their show or presentation giving buyers the opportunity to make sales appointments with the designers. NEWGEN is the BFC’s landmark scheme to support the very best emerging talents; its ambition to build global, high end fashion brands for the future.

The scheme offers designers financial support and showcasing opportunities at London Fashion Week to present their SS16 collection to influential press and buyers from around the world, the statement said.

NEWGEN designers are identified by their creativity, strong design aesthetic and point of difference. The NEWGEN committee, chaired by Sarah Mower MBE, focused on selecting designers who are ready for the profile, platform and support that NEWGEN offers. The BFC, with support from the NEWGEN committee and Top Shop, will deliver individualised support and business seminars to assist the designers as they build their own infrastructure and skills.

Sarah Mower MBE, BFC Ambassador for Emerging Talent and Chair of the NEWGEN selection commented: “The NEWGEN initiative has an unrivalled reputation as the scheme which has seen countless designers through to London Fashion Week and success in selling globally. The panel and I are always stunned to be able to meet designers and discover what they have to say at an early stage, and, with our teamwork, and Top Shop's sponsorship, to help fast-track their business savvy as well as their talent for design. My only criticism is the dearth of accessory designers applying to New Gen. We want to see more! So please take this is a call-out for next season's talent!"

According to the statement, NEWGEN sponsorship has acted as a promotional launch pad for young designers since its inception in 1993, attracting media profile, orders and investment whilst offering encouragement and support for new talent.

Previous NEWGEN winners include Alexander McQueen, Christopher Kane, Erdem, Jonathan Saunders, J.W. Anderson, Marques’Almeida, Mary Katrantzou, Nicholas Kirkwood, Roksanda Ilincic and Simone Rocha.

Mary Homer, managing director of Top Shop, commented: “We are proud that Top Shop continues to play an integral part in nurturing the very best of our young design talent. NEWGEN has been instrumental in introducing home-grown designers to a global stage and the support it offers to fledgling designers, both commercially and creatively, is invaluable to their future success in the industry.” (SH)

Fibre2Fashion News Desk – India

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