BRITISH FASHION COUNCIL TO FUND 10 EMERGING DESIGNERS FOR JUNE SHOWS

The British Fashion Council (BFC) has announced this season’s ten emerging menswear talent who will receive NewGen Men support, sponsored by Topman, to showcase their spring/summer 17 collections at London Collections: Men in June.

This season, seven of the ten designers continue to receive NewGen Men support: Alex Mullins, Bobby Abley, Cottweiler, Craig Green, Diego Vanassibara, Liam Hodges and Pieter. The three additional designers will be receiving NewGen Men support for the first time this June includes: recent Central Saint Martins graduate Kiko Kostadinov, Phoebe English, and MAN alumni Wales Bonner.

As well as receiving showcasing opportunities the recipients are given financial support and business mentoring. Designers may make use of the financial support to grow or strengthen any aspect of their business, or towards the implementation of their shows, presentations and installations. The business support offered aims to build their businesses commercially and help them develop relationships with key press and buyers. The BFC is working with DLA Piper, RSM and Shaw Walker Lees to provide legal, commercial and accounting advice for the designers.

“It is fantastic to be welcoming new designers to the NewGen Men fold for June, Grace Wales Bonner, Kiko Kostadinov and Phoebe English – I’m sure all eyes will be on these bright new stars as they unveil their inaugural NewGen Men collections,” said Jason Griffiths, marketing director of Topman. “In the same breath, I very much look forward to seeing the evolution of Alex Mullins, Bobby Abley, Cottweiler, Craig Green, Diego Vanassibara, Liam Hodges and Pieter who are continuing to develop and grow under the NewGen men initiative. We also look forward to watching this year’s alumni Agi & Sam, Astrid Andersen and Nasir Mazhar continue their journey as established brands; heralding all that is creative and exciting about emerging talent in London.”

Caroline Rush CBE, chief executive of the BFC commented: “London has always been known for its celebration of emerging talent, and NewGen Men is a key part of the innovative identity of London Collections: Men. All ten of this season’s designers represent what is so special about British menswear in their own way, and I am eager to see their collections in the spotlight this June. The mentoring and support that NewGen Men provides is invaluable, and watching the progress that it encourages is always exciting.”

NewGen Men was established in September 2009 and has supported designers including Christopher Raeburn, Christopher Shannon, J.W.Anderson, James Long, Lee Roach, Lou Dalton and Sibling.