British Fashion Council

About the British Fashion Council

The British Fashion Council is committed to developing excellence and growth in a sector that is a significant contributor to the British economy. We nurture, support and promote British fashion talent to a global market.

BFC Strategy

Our ambition is to strategically reposition British fashion in the global fashion economy. We identified five pillars through which we have focused our energy and the support so generously provided by organisations, individuals and global influencers from other sectors.

Education

Business & Investment

Reputation

Innovation & Digital

Education

The Presidents of Education are Sarah Mower, BFC Ambassador for Emerging Talent and Chief Critic at Vogue Runway, and Meribeth Parker, Non-Executive Director at Bally, Belstaff and Jimmy Choo.

Sarah and Meribeth spearhead this initiative to secure the pipeline of talent for the future of the British fashion industry. The UK leads the world in creative education, and the BFC works to bolster the fashion education available in the UK through further education scholarships and securing additional vocational routes.
Find out more about Education
Business & Investment

The President of Business & Investment is Sian Westerman, Senior Advisor at Rothschild Global Advisory.

Sian oversees the BFC’s work as the world leader of designer support initiatives. Through this pillar the BFC provides tailored mentoring support to a broad spectrum of designers, and is focused on creating new opportunities to support more businesses. The Designer Fact File is a key part of this pillar, and is being continually expanded.

Sian also leads the BFC initiative to establish a strong investment community for the sector in the UK. This work is done in part by helping prepare businesses for investment, and improving the reputation of fashion within the investment community – in the UK and in international markets.
Reputation

The President of Reputation is Sophia Neophitou, Founder and Editor in Chief of 10 Magazine.

Sophia is responsible for the BFC initiative to increase the reputation of British fashion globally, with a focus on storytelling and experience as ways to champion excellence through all of the BFC’s events and initiatives. Positive fashion best practice (including sustainability and diversity) is a core part of the reputation pillar, alongside government lobbying and the work of the BFC’s charities.
Innovation & Digital

The President of Innovation & Digital is Martijn Bertisen, Sales Director at Google.
Martijn spearheads the BFC drive to lead through innovation in technology and industry engagement with digital. Digital is at the heart of everything the BFC does, and leads its strategy in every area; this pillar helps provide British designer businesses with the expertise and advice they need to lead in this area. Target areas include tapping the global market and encouraging business growth, selling direct to consumers, online retail opportunities and tailored engagement with different media platforms.
Find out about building a digital strategy

Education

The Presidents of Education are Sarah Mower, BFC Ambassador for Emerging Talent and Chief Critic at Vogue Runway, and Meribeth Parker, Non-Executive Director at Bally, Belstaff and Jimmy Choo.

Sarah and Meribeth spearhead this initiative to secure the pipeline of talent for the future of the British fashion industry. The UK leads the world in creative education, and the BFC works to bolster the fashion education available in the UK through further education scholarships and securing additional vocational routes.
Find out more about Education
Business & Investment

The President of Business & Investment is Sian Westerman, Senior Advisor at Rothschild Global Advisory.

Sian oversees the BFC’s work as the world leader of designer support initiatives. Through this pillar the BFC provides tailored mentoring support to a broad spectrum of designers, and is focused on creating new opportunities to support more businesses. The Designer Fact File is a key part of this pillar, and is being continually expanded.

Sian also leads the BFC initiative to establish a strong investment community for the sector in the UK. This work is done in part by helping prepare businesses for investment, and improving the reputation of fashion within the investment community – in the UK and in international markets.
Reputation

The President of Reputation is Sophia Neophitou, Founder and Editor in Chief of 10 Magazine.

Sophia is responsible for the BFC initiative to increase the reputation of British fashion globally, with a focus on storytelling and experience as ways to champion excellence through all of the BFC’s events and initiatives. Positive fashion best practice (including sustainability and diversity) is a core part of the reputation pillar, alongside government lobbying and the work of the BFC’s charities.
Innovation & Digital

The President of Innovation & Digital is Martijn Bertisen, Sales Director at Google.
Martijn spearheads the BFC drive to lead through innovation in technology and industry engagement with digital. Digital is at the heart of everything the BFC does, and leads its strategy in every area; this pillar helps provide British designer businesses with the expertise and advice they need to lead in this area. Target areas include tapping the global market and encouraging business growth, selling direct to consumers, online retail opportunities and tailored engagement with different media platforms.
Find out about building a digital strategy

GOVERNMENT RELATIONS

The British Fashion Council’s Political Engagement Programme aims to make the fashion industry’s voice heard by government.

Brexit

Key Events

The British Fashion Council host events throughout the year which aim to promote British fashion globally.

London Fashion Week

London Fashion Week Men's

The Fashion Awards

London Show Rooms

London Fashion Week Festival

London Fashion Week

London Fashion Week takes place twice a year in February and September showcasing over 250 designers to a global audience of influential media and retailers. It is estimated that orders of over £100m are placed during LFW each season.

londonfashionweek.com
London Fashion Week Men's

London Fashion Week Men's is a biannual showcase that takes place every January and June and celebrates the creative and commercial importance of the British menswear industry.

londonfashionweekmens.com
The Fashion Awards

The Fashion Awards bring together the global fashion community in London to celebrate the best of British and international talent in the industry.
fashionawards.com
London Show Rooms

LONDON show ROOMS provides a unique opportunity for British designers to be collectively promoted in international markets. These pop-up showrooms are a strategic element of the BFC’s designer support pathway.
Find out more
London Fashion Week Festival

London Fashion Week Festival is the ultimate fashion experience giving consumers exclusive access to catwalk shows, a curated talks schedule, designer shopping, and trend presentations. The event takes place at The Store Studios, 180 Strand over four days in February and September.

londonfashionweekfestival.com

London Fashion Week

London Fashion Week takes place twice a year in February and September showcasing over 250 designers to a global audience of influential media and retailers. It is estimated that orders of over £100m are placed during LFW each season.

londonfashionweek.com
London Fashion Week Men's

London Fashion Week Men's is a biannual showcase that takes place every January and June and celebrates the creative and commercial importance of the British menswear industry.

londonfashionweekmens.com
The Fashion Awards

The Fashion Awards bring together the global fashion community in London to celebrate the best of British and international talent in the industry.
fashionawards.com
London Show Rooms

LONDON show ROOMS provides a unique opportunity for British designers to be collectively promoted in international markets. These pop-up showrooms are a strategic element of the BFC’s designer support pathway.
Find out more
London Fashion Week Festival

London Fashion Week Festival is the ultimate fashion experience giving consumers exclusive access to catwalk shows, a curated talks schedule, designer shopping, and trend presentations. The event takes place at The Store Studios, 180 Strand over four days in February and September.

londonfashionweekfestival.com

Reports

BFC Annual reports

The BFC’s annual reports from 2009 up until 2014.
• BFC Annual Report 2009-2010
• BFC Annual Report 2010-2011
• BFC Annual Report 2011-2012
• BFC Annual Report 2012-2013
• BFC Annual Report 2013-2014
• BFC Annual Report 2014-2015
• BFC Annual Report 2015-2016
• BFC Annual Report 2016-2017

See the BFC's Year in Review for 2014 - 2015
Future of Fashion

There is so much to be proud of in British fashion. London is a world centre of creativity and design talent. British designers capture the mood of the moment, cascading it into the high street, creating a multibillion pound industry.
In this report the BFC lays out its vision for the sector, identifying five areas which it believes have great potential and highlights the action required to ensure this potential is met. These strategic considerations are the first toe in the water in carving out a vision that spans the whole fashion sector.
Download and read the report here
Value of Fashion

In spite of a challenging economic environment, the UK’s fashion industry continues to thrive. Such dynamism principally reflects the voracious appetite of the UK consumer. Oxford Economics estimate that household spending on fashion products rose to £82.3 billion in 2015 – an all-time high.
Download the 2015 Value of Fashion report here.
Download the 2009 Value of Fashion report here.
London: Home of Menswear

London is the home of menswear: Bondage trousers, the bowler hat, brogues, the dandy, the floral shirt and tie, the great coat/riding coat, the three piece suit, the trench coat, tweed and tartan, and wellington boots have all been identified as the ten iconic styles that originated in Britain and have become mainstays in international menswear. Today, London is home to a whole host of young, energetic designers and also some of the biggest menswear brands in the world. Taken from a V&A study commissioned by the BFC and written by Keren Protheroe, a PHD alumnus of the History of Fashion course at the Royal College of Art, these ten British inventions seal the UK’s reputation as the global origin of men’s fashion.
Download and read the report here
Commercialising Creativity

The BFC commissioned this report in collaboration with the London Business School to investigate whether there is a formula for successfully commercialising creativity in the fashion industry. The BFC aims to lead the industry through creative leadership, to support growth and provide the best resources and environment in which designer businesses can commercially and creatively excel. This report highlights common themes of success and best practice to help further these aims as well as providing points for consideration by the BFC and Government.
Download and read the report here
High-end & Designer Manufacturing

The British Fashion Council alongside UK Fashion and Textiles Association, Creative Skillset and Marks & Spencer launched the High-end & Designer Manufacturing Report. The report was commissioned as part of the BFC’s strategic goal to protect and develop the UK’s reputation as the best place to start, develop and grow a designer fashion business.
Download and read the report here
As a direct result of the report and its findings, the British Fashion Council launched its British High-End Manufacturers Database. Part of the BFC's Positive Fashion initiative, this national database of UK-based manufacturers aims to facilitate relationships between designers and production units.
Discover the database
#LFW Talks Digital

The British Fashion Council commissioned the Knowledge Transfer Network to produce #LFW Talks Digital - a report on designer fashion, digital technology & business growth.

Download and read the report here
Positive Fashion
Model Health Inquiry

In 2007 the BFC commissioned Baroness Kingsmill to undertake the Model Health Inquiry.

Download the full report here

Following this report, the BFC established the Model Programme working group, which meets at least once a year to review progress on initial Model Health Inquiry recommendations.

Read the 2015 updates here

Find out more about the Model Programme

BFC Annual reports

The BFC’s annual reports from 2009 up until 2014.
• BFC Annual Report 2009-2010
• BFC Annual Report 2010-2011
• BFC Annual Report 2011-2012
• BFC Annual Report 2012-2013
• BFC Annual Report 2013-2014
• BFC Annual Report 2014-2015
• BFC Annual Report 2015-2016
• BFC Annual Report 2016-2017

See the BFC's Year in Review for 2014 - 2015
Future of Fashion

There is so much to be proud of in British fashion. London is a world centre of creativity and design talent. British designers capture the mood of the moment, cascading it into the high street, creating a multibillion pound industry.
In this report the BFC lays out its vision for the sector, identifying five areas which it believes have great potential and highlights the action required to ensure this potential is met. These strategic considerations are the first toe in the water in carving out a vision that spans the whole fashion sector.
Download and read the report here
Value of Fashion

In spite of a challenging economic environment, the UK’s fashion industry continues to thrive. Such dynamism principally reflects the voracious appetite of the UK consumer. Oxford Economics estimate that household spending on fashion products rose to £82.3 billion in 2015 – an all-time high.
Download the 2015 Value of Fashion report here.
Download the 2009 Value of Fashion report here.
London: Home of Menswear

London is the home of menswear: Bondage trousers, the bowler hat, brogues, the dandy, the floral shirt and tie, the great coat/riding coat, the three piece suit, the trench coat, tweed and tartan, and wellington boots have all been identified as the ten iconic styles that originated in Britain and have become mainstays in international menswear. Today, London is home to a whole host of young, energetic designers and also some of the biggest menswear brands in the world. Taken from a V&A study commissioned by the BFC and written by Keren Protheroe, a PHD alumnus of the History of Fashion course at the Royal College of Art, these ten British inventions seal the UK’s reputation as the global origin of men’s fashion.
Download and read the report here
Commercialising Creativity

The BFC commissioned this report in collaboration with the London Business School to investigate whether there is a formula for successfully commercialising creativity in the fashion industry. The BFC aims to lead the industry through creative leadership, to support growth and provide the best resources and environment in which designer businesses can commercially and creatively excel. This report highlights common themes of success and best practice to help further these aims as well as providing points for consideration by the BFC and Government.
Download and read the report here
High-end & Designer Manufacturing

The British Fashion Council alongside UK Fashion and Textiles Association, Creative Skillset and Marks & Spencer launched the High-end & Designer Manufacturing Report. The report was commissioned as part of the BFC’s strategic goal to protect and develop the UK’s reputation as the best place to start, develop and grow a designer fashion business.
Download and read the report here
As a direct result of the report and its findings, the British Fashion Council launched its British High-End Manufacturers Database. Part of the BFC's Positive Fashion initiative, this national database of UK-based manufacturers aims to facilitate relationships between designers and production units.
Discover the database
#LFW Talks Digital

The British Fashion Council commissioned the Knowledge Transfer Network to produce #LFW Talks Digital - a report on designer fashion, digital technology & business growth.

Download and read the report here
Positive Fashion
Model Health Inquiry

In 2007 the BFC commissioned Baroness Kingsmill to undertake the Model Health Inquiry.

Download the full report here

Following this report, the BFC established the Model Programme working group, which meets at least once a year to review progress on initial Model Health Inquiry recommendations.

Read the 2015 updates here

Find out more about the Model Programme

Charity

BFC Fashion Arts Foundation

Education foundation

Fashion Trust

BFC Fashion Arts Foundation
Education foundation

The BFC Education Foundation, previously named the Princess of Wales Charitable Trust, was originally set up to provide MA scholarships for British graduate fashion design students and has now been extended to include support to students on foundation and BA degree courses.
Find out more about education here
Fashion Trust

The BFC Fashion Trust was founded in February 2011 and offers selected designers business support through mentoring and financial awards to promote the art and business of fashion.

Find out more here.

BFC Fashion Arts Foundation
Education foundation

The BFC Education Foundation, previously named the Princess of Wales Charitable Trust, was originally set up to provide MA scholarships for British graduate fashion design students and has now been extended to include support to students on foundation and BA degree courses.
Find out more about education here
Fashion Trust

The BFC Fashion Trust was founded in February 2011 and offers selected designers business support through mentoring and financial awards to promote the art and business of fashion.

Find out more here.

How to get involved

Patronage

The British Fashion Council is supported by the generosity of leading businesses in fashion retail, media and finance and support from the Mayor of London, European Regional Development Fund and UK Trade & Investment.

The BFC relies on the support of its patrons and their longstanding commitment over the last 30 years has made international promotion of the British fashion industry and its talented designers possible.

The BFC is working hard to develop a sustainable eco-system of support for talent from students to small business labels, all the way through to global brands. Over the last year, the BFC have invested £10 million of its income back into the industry through its events and designers support. As we continue to grow, to develop support for a broader group of designers and to secure the pipeline of talent of the future, we are looking to the industry to support the BFC.

If you are interested in becoming a Patron, please contact:
Sophia Baker
Tel: +44 (0) 20 7759 1949
sophia.baker@britishfashioncouncil.com
Contract Opportunities

Many of the initiatives that are run by the BFC are made possible through public funding. The BFC aims to ensure that the suppliers we work with are selected in a fair and transparent manner.
View contract opportunities
Sponsorship Opportunities

The British Fashion Council develops and delivers fashion and lifestyle platforms for some of the world’s best known brands. Each sponsorship is created as a bespoke package tailored to meet each brands key objectives within the fashion arena. If you would like further information on commercial sponsorship opportunities at London Fashion Week, London Fashion Week Men's, London Fashion Week Festival, The Fashion Awards or LONDON show ROOMS please contact:

Jenico Preston
Head of Sponsorship
Tel: +44 (0) 20 7759 1976
Email: jenico.preston@britishfashioncouncil.com
Designer Support

Designer business support is an area we are committed to, championing designers to innovate and commercialise their creativity.

Find out more about business support

Patronage

The British Fashion Council is supported by the generosity of leading businesses in fashion retail, media and finance and support from the Mayor of London, European Regional Development Fund and UK Trade & Investment.

The BFC relies on the support of its patrons and their longstanding commitment over the last 30 years has made international promotion of the British fashion industry and its talented designers possible.

The BFC is working hard to develop a sustainable eco-system of support for talent from students to small business labels, all the way through to global brands. Over the last year, the BFC have invested £10 million of its income back into the industry through its events and designers support. As we continue to grow, to develop support for a broader group of designers and to secure the pipeline of talent of the future, we are looking to the industry to support the BFC.

If you are interested in becoming a Patron, please contact:
Sophia Baker
Tel: +44 (0) 20 7759 1949
sophia.baker@britishfashioncouncil.com
Contract Opportunities

Many of the initiatives that are run by the BFC are made possible through public funding. The BFC aims to ensure that the suppliers we work with are selected in a fair and transparent manner.
View contract opportunities
Sponsorship Opportunities

The British Fashion Council develops and delivers fashion and lifestyle platforms for some of the world’s best known brands. Each sponsorship is created as a bespoke package tailored to meet each brands key objectives within the fashion arena. If you would like further information on commercial sponsorship opportunities at London Fashion Week, London Fashion Week Men's, London Fashion Week Festival, The Fashion Awards or LONDON show ROOMS please contact:

Jenico Preston
Head of Sponsorship
Tel: +44 (0) 20 7759 1976
Email: jenico.preston@britishfashioncouncil.com
Designer Support

Designer business support is an area we are committed to, championing designers to innovate and commercialise their creativity.

Find out more about business support

About the British Fashion Council

BFC Strategy

GOVERNMENT RELATIONS

Key Events

Reports

BFC Annual reports

BFC Annual reports

Future of Fashion

Future of Fashion

Value of Fashion

Value of Fashion

London: Home of Menswear

London: Home of Menswear

Commercialising Creativity

Commercialising Creativity

High-end & Designer Manufacturing

High-end & Designer Manufacturing

#LFW Talks Digital

#LFW Talks Digital

Positive Fashion

Positive Fashion

Model Health Inquiry

Model Health Inquiry

Charity

How to get involved

Patronage

Patronage

Contract Opportunities

Contract Opportunities

Sponsorship Opportunities

Sponsorship Opportunities

Designer Support

Designer Support