NEWGEN is a BFC initiative that supports the very best emerging talent and aims to build global, high end fashion brands of the future. It is the most established designer development scheme globally and designers are identified by their creativity, strong design aesthetic and point of difference.
The 2022/23 NEWGEN recipients are:
Ahluwalia I ANCUȚA SARCA I ASAI I Bethany Williams I Chet Lo I Conner Ives I DI PETSA I EFTYCHIA I FEBEN I HARRI I HELEN KIRKUM I LABRUM London I Leo Carlton I MASHA POPOVA I Nensi Dojaka I Paolo Carzana I ROBYN LYNCH I ROKER I S.S.DALEY I SAUL NASH I Sinéad O'Dwyer I Stefan Cooke I yuhan wang
NEWGEN offers designers financial support, showcasing opportunities and mentoring to develop critical business skills to future proof their businesses. The BFC, with support from the NEWGEN committee led by Sarah Mower MBE, delivers individual mentoring and business training sessions to assist the designers as they develop their business infrastructure and skills.
NEWGEN encompasses accessories (including all categories such as shoes, bags, hats, jewellery & fine jewellery). Different product categories are judged by specific panels focused on Ready to Wear and Accessories. Sarah Mower MBE will lead the RTW panels and Stephen Jones OBE and Stephen Webster MBE will lead the Accessories panel alongside other accessories experts.
IPF Minimum Standards 2022
This year, the Institute of Positive Fashion (IPF) has developed a set of Minimum Standards, as a permanent framework, that will put into action social and environmental change across its NEWGEN designer participants and programme of events. These Minimum Standards align with the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and shape the Bronze Standards to be upheld by the best of the UK’s emerging talent.
These Standards apply to the seven key focus areas of a garment’s life cycle: strategic direction, design, smart material choices, manufacturing & distribution, working conditions, consumer engagement and fashion shows.
Our aim is for all NEWGEN participants to comply with the stipulations of each focus area by integrating the Minimum and Bronze Standards into the criteria, allowing us to assess and monitor.
We are grateful to Copenhagen Fashion Week Sustainability Action Plan 2020-2022 for taking the lead in devising these sustainable requirements which have helped to shape our Standards.