We are delighted to announce Grace Wales Bonner, Founder of WALES BONNER, as the winner of the 2023 BFC/GQ Designer Fashion Fund. The designer will receive a 12-month bespoke high-level business mentoring programme, pro-bono legal services from Sheridans and a cash prize of £100,000.
This year’s shortlist included AGR, Bianca Saunders, Bleue Burnham and paria /FARZANEH who will have the opportunity to participate in a mentoring programme through the BFC’s Designer Initiatives team, with access to industry and business experts, and pro-bono legal services delivered by law firm Sheridans.
Chaired by Caroline Rush CBE, Chief Executive, British Fashion Council and Adam Baidawi, Head of Editorial Content, British GQ & Deputy Global Editorial Director, GQ, the panel was made up of industry experts including Damien Paul, Head of Menswear Buying, Matchesfashion.com; Laurent Malecaze, CEO, Dunhill; Leah Abbott, Stylist; Murray Clark, Senior Style Editor, GQ; Samuel Ross, 2019 Winner of the BFC/GQ Designer Fashion Fund and Founder, A-COLD-WALL*; Tan France, Fashion Designer, TV Personality and Author.
Previous winners of the BFC/GQ Designer Menswear Fund include Nicholas Daley (2022), Ahluwalia (2021), A-COLD-WALL* (2019), Craig Green (2016), E Tautz (2015) and Christopher Shannon (2014).