Designers Christopher Raeburn, Craig Green, Sibling, Lou Dalton and Astrid
Andersen have been selected by the British Fashion Council (BFC) to compete
for the annual BFC/GQ Designer Menswear Fund 2016.
It is the second time that Sibling, Lou Dalton and Astrid Andersen have
been shortlisted for the fund, and the third time for Christopher Raeburn. The
following designers stand the chance of winning a 150,000 pound grant,
which will give their businesses the needed infrastructure to take them to
the next level as well as a 12 month mentoring support programme and 50,000
pound worth of kind services.
“The 2016 shortlist is an outstanding example of the talent in the UK’s
menswear market,” said Dylan Jones, OBE on the shortlist. “It is a great
example of the variety and spread of designers that are working here in
London. Working with Vertu and the BFC/GQ Designer Menswear Fund panel is
an opportunity to project these brands to the next stage and every one of
them has the ability to win the biggest prize in menswear.”
Over the following two weeks the shortlisted designers have been asked to
participate in a mentoring programme created by the BFC, during which
industry experts will offer guidance on a range of topics including
branding, leadership, e-tail, commercial retail, digital innovation and
wholesale. Vertu, one of the partners for the fund will host its own
mentoring day at the Interchange Camden.
Icons. AW15
Shark print. #ChristopherRaeburn #Sharky #IconographyA photo posted by Christopher Ræburn
(@christopherraeburn) on Apr
26, 2016 at 2:08pm PDTAt the end of the month, designers will be asked to submit a revised
business plan to the judging panel, with the winner of the annual fund
being announce on May 18, 2016. “The selection process seems to get harder
as each year passes, as the designers continue to raise the bar, not just
with their creative abilities but also with their commercial acumen,” noted
Gordon Watson, CEO of Vertu. “The shortlisting and mentoring process is
never anything less than inspiring and it is a delight to spend time with
each of the designers.”The fund aims to support menswear businesses which have been trading for
over two years, with both UK and international stockists. Currently in its
third year, Designer Menswear Fund selected the shortlisted designers as
each one is said to have the potential to develop into a global designer
brand and is ready to receive the level of support offered by the BFC/GQ
Fund.“As the menswear industry continues to grow in size and reputation this
year’s shortlist shows the diversity and the talent of London’s menswear
designers,” said Caroline Rush CBE, Chief Executive Officer of the BFC, “As
well as sheer creativity these designers also have impressive business
strategies and the potential to be Britain’s next big menswear brands.”Photo: British Fashion Council