The Fund was established in 2008 and provides one designer with a bespoke, high level mentoring support programme over a twelve-month period; as well as a £200,000 cash prize to provide necessary infrastructure to take them to the next stage in their business. The British Fashion Council announced WALES BONNER as the 2019 winner of the BFC/Vogue Designer Fashion Fund at an intimate lunch hosted at The Conduit.
Edward Enninful OBE, Editor-in-Chief of British Vogue and Chair of the Fund Committee said: “Grace is a huge creative talent and her label WALES BONNER has a unique vision, which really relates to the now. Her diverse perspective and boundary breaking design is what we need more of within the industry. I look forward to seeing how this support propels her further.
A.W.A.K.E MODE, Alighieri, Charles Jeffrey LOVERBOY, David Koma, Neous, Rejina Pyo and Wales Bonner were all shortlisted for the 2019 prize and were invited to present their collections and business plan to the panel. All shortlisted designers receive a full mentoring programme through the BFC’s Business Support team, with access to funders and industry experts which this year included a roundtable hosted by Sir Paul Smith. Award-winning law firm Mishcon de Reya is providing pro-bono legal advice to the finalists and winner.
WALES BONNER is the recipient of the of the 2019 BFC/Vogue Designer Fashion Fund.