United Kingdom Council For Fashion (BFC) today announced the shortlist for BFC/Vogue Designer Fashion Fund 2012. Designer shortlisted the best development of displays and accessories labels in Womenswear fashion United Kingdom today, with the potential to develop into a global fashion brand. This year’s shortlisted designers is Jonathan Saunders, Marios Schwab, , Mary Katrantzou, Meadham Kirchhoff, , Nicholas Kirkwood, Jr., Peter Pilotto, Richard Nicoll, Roksanda Ilincic and Zoe Jordan.
Nine designers have been invited to present their collections and future plans for the panel judging the Fund sponsor’s representatives and industry-opinion, led by Alexandra Shulman, Editor of British Vogue.
Dana BFC/Vogue Designer Fashion, now in its third year, will give a United Kingdom based designer with a bespoke, high level mentoring programs support over the past twelve months, as well as $ 310,000. All eight runners-up will also be allocated a mentor through the Fund. The entire process of judging and winners will be documented in the edition of March 2012 British Vogue.
To be eligible for the scheme, the designer must be an established company, based in the United Kingdom, as well as have the United Kingdom and international Stockists and support from key media both UK and international. Winners will demonstrate a clear vision for their business and how the funds will contribute to their continued growth and infrastructure, with a focus on creating a strong international presence.
This Fund was launched by BFC Chairman Harold Tillman CBE, in September 2008 as part of the heritage of the 25th anniversary celebration of the BFC. The purpose of the Fund is to support the talented designers United Kingdom with the potential for commercial growth to start making the transition from developing creative efforts for the international fashion brands.