The British Fashion Council (BFC) has recently announced the shortlist for the Vogue Designer Fashion Fund (VDFF) for 2023. This prestigious award recognizes outstanding talent and creativity in the fashion industry and aims to provide emerging British designers with high-level mentoring and professional services to support their growth.
The six designers who have been selected for the shortlist are 16Arlington, Awake Mode, Alighieri Completedworks, Piferi, and Supriya Lele. These individuals will have the opportunity to showcase their work through interviews with the Fund Judging panel, which consists of industry experts and influencers. The winner(s) of the fund will be revealed in May.
The judging panel, chaired by Caroline Rush, the Chief Executive of the BFC, and Edward Enninful, the Editor-in-Chief of British Vogue, includes renowned designer and model Alexa Chung, Financial Times’ Lauren Indvik, model and activist Munroe Bergdorf, Burberry’s marketing chief Rod Manley, Deputy Editor of British Vogue Sarah Harris, and BFC Ambassador for emerging talent Sarah Mower.
The shortlist reflects the incredible breadth of talent and creativity within the British fashion scene. London Fashion Week once again showcased the city as a hub of innovation and originality. Each of the designers on the shortlist embodies the fighting spirit and talent that the UK is well-known for. The BFC expresses its profound gratitude to its funders for their continuous support in nurturing and sustaining creative talent within the UK.
Narmina Marandi and Tania Fares, co-chairs of The BFC Foundation, emphasized the importance of initiatives like the VDFF, particularly in a challenging year for designers. The growth of the BFC Foundation and the support it provides are vital in propelling businesses forward. The vibrant and exciting shortlist reaffirms that British designers remain at the forefront of global creativity. It is crucial to harness and support this talent for years to come.
The VDFF was established in 2008 and has since played a significant role in fostering the growth of emerging British designers. With the support of British Vogue, Burberry, and Paul Smith, the Fund has provided valuable resources and guidance for designers to thrive in the industry. Previous winners include renowned names such as Richard Quinn, Bethany Williams, Wales Bonner, Mary Katrantzou, and Christopher Kane.
As the fashion industry continues to evolve, initiatives like the VDFF contribute to the sustainability and success of emerging designers. By offering invaluable support and mentorship, the Fund ensures that talented individuals have the opportunity to establish themselves in the fashion world. The BFC remains committed to securing the pipeline of creative talent in the UK, and the VDFF plays a vital role in achieving this goal.
Useful links:
1. British Fashion Council
2. Vogue
