BFC's NewGen gets £2m UK government funding

By

Nigel TAYLOR

Published
Sep 13, 2023

The UK government has awarded London Fashion Week (LFW) £2 million in funding to support the showcasing of emerging fashion designers.

Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer confirmed the funding for British Fashion Council (BFC) NewGen designers to showcase at London Fashion Week. It will be spread across five fashion weeks over two years.

Through the NewGen programme, the BFC offers designers showcasing opportunities and mentoring from industry experts so they can build and sustain their businesses. 

Ads

This year celebrates 30 years of NewGen, which has given some of fashion’s biggest names their big breaks, including Ahluwalia, Alexander McQueen, Erdem, Grace Wales Bonner, JW Anderson, Martine Rose, Roksanda, Saul Nash and Simone Rocha.

BFC Chief Executive Caroline Rush said: “It is fantastic that for the first time [we] will receive a direct grant similar to Film and Music to support the next generation of designer talent. NewGen is an essential R&D programme for the global industry and central to the BFC strategy to celebrate British fashion on the world stage.”

Frazer added: “Our fashion industry is world famous for its unrivalled creativity, innovation and producing some of the world’s most influential designers -- that’s why it’s a priority sector for economic growth. 

“I’m delighted this funding will help the next crop of British fashion talent build businesses that can thrive for years to come.”