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Categories: Fashion

British Fashion Council Announces Emergency Fund for British Designers affected by Covid-19 Crisis

After the covid-19 pandemic sent shockwaves through the fashion industry globally, those at the top of the chain who control The Big Four have had to radically alter the fashion calendar and think hard and fast about how we now move forward with what we don’t yet know as our new normal. Production halted for many designers as showrooms sprung up as makeshift PPE production lines for hospitals all over the world casting doubt on whether there would even be time, or the inclination to produce a collection in time for the next season as we currently knew it. As time went on we realised that there might not even be a season, hell what even are seasons any more? When you’re in lockdown the barometer you use to gauge importance shifts a little….

And so smaller designers began to wonder if they’d survive the crisis. Without the huge social followings, the platforms, the masses of product to sell between seasons – it’s hard to thrive in an industry with so many tiers that can falter when there’s a crisis of this scale. Recognising that in order for the hierarchy of design talent to continue to thrive post pandemic, the post graduate, alumni and young design talent need to be nurtured, the British Fashion Council has announced the first round of recipients of the BFC Foundation Fashion Fund, supporting creative fashion businesses and individuals to survive the Covid-19 crisis.

BFC FOUNDATION FASHION FUND FOR THE COVID CRISIS LOGO

Financial support will be given to 37 British designer businesses, with grants taken from the £1,000,000 emergency fund, allocated to viable businesses depending on their urgency and capability to come through and thrive post crisis. A portion of funds has also been allocated to students, underpinning the future generation of creative talent. London Fashion Week has always been about emerging talent, creating opportunities for new designers which might not have been available elsewhere.

Recipients for the Fund are:

Alighieri (VDFF 2020), 16Arlington, Ahluwalia, Aries, ART SCHOOL, Bethany Williams, BIANCA SAUNDERS, Chalayan, Charles Jeffrey LOVERBOY (VDFF 2020), Chopova Lowena, CRAIG GREEN, David Koma (VDFF 2020), E. Tautz, E.L.V. DENIM, Edeline Lee, EFTYCHIA, Halpern (VDFF 2020), King & Tuckfield, Kwaidan Editions, Liam Hodges, Matty Bovan, Metier (VDFF 2020), Nabil Nayal, NEOUS, Nicholas Daley, palmer//harding, PAPER LONDON, paria /FARZANEH, PER GOTESSON, Phoebe English, Raeburn, Rejina Pyo (VDFF 2020), Richard Malone, RICHARD QUINN, ROKSANDA, Stefan Cooke, Toogood

“Over the last couple of weeks, we have seen an astonishing amount of applications come through from British designer businesses all over the country, asking for help to survive the crisis. The need for support is immense. Our hope is to re-open the fund for future rounds, to help as many businesses as possible, and ensure the future growth and success of the British fashion industry.” Caroline Rush, Chief Executive BFC

The emergency Fund was made possible through pooling the BFC talent support grants that would have traditionally been awarded for either early stage showcasing support or business growth and promotion: BFC/Vogue Designer Fashion Fund, BFC/GQ Designer Menswear Fund supported by JD.com, INC, BFC Fashion Trust and BFC NEWGEN. As the BFC/Vogue Designer Fashion Fund had already completed the judging process, the decision was made to split the cash prize and mentoring award across each of the six shortlisted brands for the very first time.

This is the first announcement of recipients to receive funding from the BFC Foundation Fashion Fund for the Covid Crisis, which has seen over 220 applications to date. Fund recipients will receive a maximum of £50,000 and will also be given access to BFC business support and mentoring from the BFC’s Fashion Business Network which includes among others FarFetch, Google, HSBC, Instagram, LVMH, Mishcon De Reya, and YouTube, plus individual expert one-to-one mentors from across the business value chain.

whilst a million pounds in funding sounds like a huge amount of money and it provides a fantastic start to these designers, the scale of the need is much greater and BFC has called on both Government to step in to work with them on significant industry stimulus, and on the industry and individuals to support the BFC Foundation Fashion Fund through donations, so that more businesses can be supported at this time. BFC estimates that a massive £100 million of support in different forms will be needed to help protect this decade’s generation of talent over the next 12 to 18 months. The fund will re-open for further rounds of applications so that more meaningful support can be given, every time the £500,000 milestone is reached. Donations towards the next round of funding have already been received from Alexander McQueen, Browns, Clearpay and Coach Foundation and the BFC has called on all that are able to support, to try to do so at this time in order to protect a future generation of design talent.

Pixie

Categories: Uncategorized

Alessandro Michele: International Designer of The Year 2015

The 2015 International Designer Award will be presented to Alessandro Michele, in recognition of the year’s remarkable achievements in his role as Creative Director at Gucci. Taking the reins as Creative Director back in January 2015, his appointment marked a brave and significant shift in aesthetics for Gucci – a house famed for its leather goods and accessories; a phenomenal powerhouse that currently ranks No.2 in the global luxury goods market.  In the ten short months since Michele took up the role, he has presented four stellar collections that have caught the attention of the industry and consumers alike, and have set a brand new fashion agenda, confirming Gucci’s position as a truly directional fashion house.

The appointment of Michele as Creative Director marks the culmination of a successful 13 year career with the brand – having been brought into the Gucci fold by Tom Ford himself back in 2002 after a brief stint at Fendi, where he served as Senior Accessories Designer.  Michele’s unique understanding and appreciation of the historical codes of Gucci married with his modern take on romanticism have created a compelling new narrative for the brand.  His relationship with symbolism and granny chic has been evident at every turn.

Charged with overseeing all aspects of creative responsibility for the label, Alessandro Michele’s truly contemporary and highly original vision has undoubtedly returned the iconic house of Gucci to the frontline of fashion, making headway and headlines for all the right reasons; namely the amazing garments he’s consistently producing.

Natalie Massenet MBE commented: “Alessandro Michele is a phenomenon at Gucci. His exciting eclectic aesthetic has made an overnight impact on global fashion trends. It is not just that he has made the brand covetable and the product so desirable. He has also reinvigorated the retail experience bringing back playfulness and magic to the flagship store. This is a man who has his customer in his heart and celebrates them.”

Do you agree with the choice of designer for this award?  I know I do, I’ve long been a fan of Michele’s and his eclectic style fits my personality just perfectly.  Want to have your say?  Then join the conversation on social media: #BFA

Pixie x

Categories: Uncategorized

A New Home For London Fashion Week

With Fashion Month right around the corner the eyes of the Fashion World will be on London for more than just the Spring / Summer 2016 trends.  That’s right folks, London Fashion Week has a new home.  As we know, Somerset House has been the home of #LFW since 2009 and after twelve hectic seasons and countless street stylers pounding the pavements of the square, man those cobbles could talk, but now it’s time for something fresh and new.

Models, led by Cara Delevingne (L) present creations from designer Burberry Prorsum during the 2014 Autumn / Winter London Fashion Week in London on February 17, 2014. AFP PHOTO / BEN STANSALLBEN STANSALL/AFP/Getty Images

Spring / Summer 2016 is all about change and we’ll see the BFC bring to fruition what they’ve promised us for years – a Fashion Week hosted entirely in the West End.  The new collections will make their debut at Brewer Street Car Park in Soho.  Previously used for fringe shows and events by the likes of Henry Holland, Richard Nicoll and Antonio Berardi, the Spring / Summer 2016 show schedule will see Anthony Vaccarello showcasing his Versus #SS16 collection as part of the #LFW line up for the first time.  Perhaps the most exciting debut however, will come from Emma Hill, former Creative Director at Mulberry and credited with bringing Mulberry into the mainstream, Hill will showcase her first and hotly anticipated accessories line, Hill & Friends.

Other newcomers to the #LFW schedule include John Smedley, Amanda Wakeley (hot on the heels of her static presentation for Fall / Winter 2015), Kelly Shaw London and Toga.

London Fashion Week Spring / Summer 2016 runs from September 18th – 23rd and I’ll be there to bring you the latest looks phresh out the runway.  With the most jam-packed (draft) schedule #LFW has seen in recent years and the West End as the venue, it looks set to be killer:

Although the main event is invite only, there are still tickets available for popular fringe event London Fashion Weekend and if you’ve never been before, it’s a great way to get involved.  So, what are you waiting for…..?

Pixie x

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