The British Fashion Council (BFC) is proud to announce the launch of a new education collaboration with British premium lifestyle brand Barbour for 2026. The programme will deliver a newly launched fashion design annual scholarship under the BFC Foundation. Following the launch of the new strategy BFC 2030: Access, Creativity, Growth under Laura Weir, Chief Executive, the ambition is to treble named branded scholarships in fashion, creative excellence and education to the value of £500,000 over the next three years. This partnership takes the BFC en route to target and reflects its commitment to grow and deepen support for designers at every stage through education, funding and industry access.
The scholarship will provide essential funding and mentoring to a MA or BA student studying at a BFC Colleges Council member university. Reflecting Barbour’s values of innovation and quality craftsmanship, the scholarship will support the recipient’s early career development from education into the fashion industry. This will sit alongside existing BFC Foundation named scholarships including Chanel, Dior and Joe Casely-Hayford.
The BFC Foundation’s scholarship programme recognises the breadth of skills that underpin British fashion from heritage to contemporary design, and supports emerging talent at a formative stage. Delivered in collaboration with leading fashion brands, the programme provides financial support, skills development and mentoring, connecting recipients to industry expertise and real world practice.
Laura Weir, Chief Executive, British Fashion Council: “As set out in the BFC’s recently announced strategy, we are committed to increasing the number of named, brand-partnered scholarships across fashion, creative excellence and education and this scholarship is a direct delivery against that ambition. Scholarships like this are about more than funding. They open access and opportunity, ensuring creativity is not confined to geography or privilege but reaches talent wherever it exists across the UK. Barbour’s reputation for heritage and innovation makes them a brilliant collaborator on this mission.”
Dame Margaret Barbour, Chair: "We are delighted to be partnering with the British Fashion Council on this exciting initiative. The launch of the BFC x Barbour Scholarship is an important step in supporting and mentoring the next generation of designers. For over 130 years, Barbour has been committed to British craftsmanship, innovation and quality; through this partnership, we look forward to sharing our heritage, expertise and values to guide and inspire young designers on their creative journey."
Earlier this year, Barbour launched a student competition through the BFC Colleges Council, showcasing the brand’s continued support within arts education. Focused on Barbour’s overarching brand campaign, The Original & Authentic Barbour Tartans, the competition challenges fashion design students to reimagine tartan through the core values of craftsmanship, recontextualising fabrics through the lens of modernity whilst still staying true to the original Barbour tartan set. Three winners will be selected in spring, receiving £5,000 each, alongside the opportunity to participate in an activation with Barbour during London Fashion Week September 2026.
Paul Wilkinson, Group Deputy Managing Director, Barbour: “Tartan has played an important part in Barbour’s story since the company was founded in 1894. This competition gives students the chance to reimagine Barbour’s original and authentic tartans in contemporary shapes and fabrics, while remaining true to our heritage Students will also have the opportunity to collaborate with our design team, gaining invaluable insight into how to balance modernity with authenticity, creating designs that truly embody tartan—a timeless symbol of our brand story.”
To mark the partnership, Barbour hosted an interactive workshop for current BFC scholars, exploring the historic roots of Barbour’s original tartans. The session was held at 180 The Strand, representing the first industry-led activation of this year's BFC Scholarship Programme, offering creative development opportunities beyond the classroom.