The Fund was established in 2008 and provides one designer with a bespoke, high level mentoring support programme over a twelve month period, as well as a £200,000 grant to provide necessary infrastructure to take them to the next stage in their business.

Emilia Wickstead, House of Holland, Mary Katrantzou, Osman, Peter Pilotto and Zoe Jordan were shortlisted for the 2014 prize and were invited to present their collections and five year business plans to the Fund judging committee which is made up of representatives from businesses who support the Fund and industry experts.

"Christopher and Peter are deserved winners of this year’s fund award. They have remained true to their vision of a print and colour focused brand but have managed to expand and grow the business to a level where they can now compete on an international stage. It's a pleasure to be able to support them" - Alexandra Shulman, Editor of British Vogue and Chair of the BFC/Vogue Designer Fashion Fund

Caroline Rush, Chief Executive, British Fashion Council, commented: “Peter Pilotto and Christopher de Vos are an incredibly dynamic design team, who since launching their label in 2007, have won the hearts and minds of the industry and the public with their vibrant colours and unforgettable prints. They demonstrated they are a thriving fashion label with a great vision to take the next step in building a global designer fashion brand.”

The British Fashion Council has an international reputation for supporting emerging talent through its existing schemes; NEWGEN supported by TOPSHOP, NEWGEN MEN sponsored by TOPMAN, Fashion Forward supported by the Mayor of London and the BFC/GQ Designer Menswear Fund supported by Vertu. Since its inception the BFC/Vogue Designer Fashion Fund has supported Nicholas Kirkwood (2013), Jonathan Saunders (2012), Christopher Kane (2011) and Erdem (2010).

In 2013 BFC/Designer Fashion Fund recipient Nicholas Kirkwood received an undisclosed major investment from luxury conglomerate LVMH while competitor Kering acquired a 51 per cent stake in Christopher Kane.

The BFC/Vogue Designer Fashion Fund judging committee comprises Alexandra Shulman, British Vogue and Chair of the Fund Committee; Caroline Rush, British Fashion Council; Joan Burstein, Browns; Luke Leitch, Daily Telegraph; Susanne Tide-Frater, Brand Consultant; Fund mentor Tony Yusuf, Hardy Amies and representatives from this year’s sponsors Burberry, Debenhams, Harrods, Paul Smith, Tesco and Topshop.

British Fashion Council