British designer Sophia Webster has been named the winner of this year’s , beating
competition from the likes of Emilia Wickstead and Osman. As the winner of
the 2016 award, Webster will be provided with twelve months of bespoke
mentoring to help her take her business to the next level, alongside of a
200,000 pound grand.
“Congratulations to Sophia Webster who has deservingly received this year’s
BFC/Vogue Designer Fashion Fund,” commented Caroline Rush CBE, Chief
Executive, British Fashion Council. “The judging committee was impressed by
her brilliant talent and thorough business acumen; seeing great potential
for developing her label into an internationally acclaimed British brand.
Sophia has an amazing ability to turn accessories into masterpieces and we
are thrilled to support her at an exciting time of growth.”
Together with Emilia Wickstead, Mother of Pearl, Osman, and Prism, the
designers were shortlisted for the 2016 prize and invited to The Shard to
present their collections and five year business plans to the Fund judging
committee, which is made up of representatives from supportors of the Fund
and industry experts.
“Sophia Webster is a great winner for this year’s award,” added Alexandra
Shulman OBE, Editor of British Vogue and Chair of the BFC/Vogue Designer
Fashion Fund in a statement. “The brand encapsulates all the originality
and creativity that British fashion is known for while Sophia and her team
have pursued a clear vision with drive and professionalism.”
Currently in its seventh year, the fund is a legacy project from the BFC’s
25th anniversary celebrations.