This morning has brought fantastic news in the form of the BFC’s announcement that they have selected this year’s Fashion Forward winners.
The scheme was devised by the British Fashion Council (BFC) six years ago as a means to help emerging designers establish their business brands. Each year the best of Britain’s design talent are selected for a cash prize which will assist them in showing their collections, and access to business support provided by the BFC which lasts for two seasons.
The winners are judged by a panel of fashion experts including Caroline Rush, CEO of the BFC; Francesca Burns, Fashion Editor of Vogue; and Sarah Mower MBE, the BFC ambassador of emerging talent.
So who has won this year’s prize?
The four winners have been announced as Henry Holland, Louise Gray, Mary Kantrantzou, and James Long (who is the first ever menswear designer to win the award!)
Caroline Rush, CEO, British Fashion Council, congratulated the winners,
“The recipients for this year’s Fashion Forward sponsorship are an exceptionally talented group of designers. 2012 is set to be a momentous year not only for fashion industry but the UK and I am looking forward to seeing Henry, Louise, James and Mary, taking strides forward in their business development. Menswear in London will be put in the spotlight this year making now the perfect time to introduce a menswear prize to Fashion Forward.”
Previous winners include Christopher Kane, Erdem, Giles Deacon, and Roksanda Illincic whose businesses were all launched to massive success by the prize.
Congratulations Mary, Henry, Louise, and James!
