Seven of London's brightest emerging talents who will receive sponsorship to showcase AW14 collections at London Fashion Week (14th – 18th February 2014) from NEWGEN sponsored by TOPSHOP.
Catwalk sponsorship: 1205, Marques'Almeida, Lucas Nascimento, Simone Rocha
Presentation sponsorship: Ryan Lo
Exhibition sponsorship: Claire Barrow, Danielle Romeril
NEWGEN is the BFC's landmark scheme to support the very best emerging talents whose ambition is to build global, high end fashion brands for the future. The scheme offers designers financial support and showcasing opportunities at London Fashion Week to present their AW14 collection to influential press and buyers from around the world.
NEWGEN designers are identified by their creativity, strong design aesthetic and point of difference. The NEWGEN committee, chaired by Sarah Mower MBE, focused on selecting designers who are ready for the profile, platform and support that NEWGEN offers. The BFC, with support from the NEWGEN committee and TOPSHOP, will deliver individualized support and business seminars to assist the designers as they build their own infrastructure and skills.
Since its inception in 1993, NEWGEN sponsorship has acted as a promotional launch pad for young designers, attracting media profile, orders and investment whilst offering encouragement and support for new talent. Previous NEWGEN winners include Alexander McQueen, Christopher Kane, Erdem, Mary Katrantzou, Nicholas Kirkwood, Roksanda Ilincic, Jonathan Saunders and J.W. Anderson.
"For the New Gen committee, it's endlessly rewarding and thrilling to be able to see the trajectory of growth of our New Gen designers, from maybe occupying one rail as newcomers to selling to the world.
"Everyone who enters New Gen knows this scheme, with all its unique benefits, can set them on the same road as Christopher Kane, Nicholas Kirkwood, Mary Katrantzou or JW Anderson - in other words, to be top names in international fashion. I would like to thank Sir Philip Green for paving this astonishing British path to the top - Topshop's sponsorship of New Gen really is held in awe by many a nation" - Sarah Mowe MBE, BFC Ambassadpr for Emerging Talent and Chair of the NEWGEN selection committee.
Mary Homer, Managing Director of TOPSHOP, commented: "London has long been established as the hub for discovering new and exciting talent within the global fashion industry. Many leading designers have been launched through the NEWGEN platform and TOPSHOP is proud to continue to support a scheme so focused on the developing and nurturing of young British designers."
The NEWGEN committee comprises Sarah Mower MBE, BFC Ambassador of Emerging Talent (Chair); Caroline Rush, British Fashion Council, CEO ; Alexander Fury, The Independent, The Independent on Sunday and i, Fashion Editor; Emma Elwick-Bates, VOGUE, Style Editor; Kate Phelan, TOPSHOP, Creative Director; Laura Burlington, Fashion Consultant; Laura Hinson, British Fashion Council, Showcasing Manager.
It also include :Laura Larbalestier, Browns, Buying Director; Madelaine Evans, TOPSHOP, Head of Buying; Mary Katrantzou, Mary Katrantzou, Founder and Creative Director; Melanie Rickey, Grazia, Pop and Ponystep Contributing Editor; Narmin Mohammadi, British Fashion Council, Head of Showcasing; Natalie Wansbrough-Jones, ELLE, Senior Fashion Editor, Rebecca Lowthorpe, ELLE, Assistant Editor; Ruth Chapman, Matchesfashion.com, Co-Founder and Yasmin Sewell, Fashion Consultant. Members of the NEWGEN committee Anna Orsini, British Fashion Council, Strategic Consultant and David Watts, British Fashion Council, Business Support Manager provide ongoing business support for mentoring.
