Established in 2008, the Fund aims to celebrate exceptional talent and empower businesses to play their part in positive growth through bespoke mentoring and for the winning designer, a cash prize of £200,000 allowing them to take their business to the next level.
Alighieri, ASAI, Bethany Williams, Chopova Lowena, Completedworks, E.L.V. Denim, Halpern, Kwaidan Editions, Olubiyi Thomas, Richard Malone and Supriya Lele were all shortlisted for the 2021 prize and were invited to present their collections and business plan to the panel. This year, the BFCVDFF was open to all gender collections and/or accessories.
All shortlisted designers receive a full mentoring programme through the BFC’s Business Support team, with access to funders and industry experts. The Fund receives the generous support of British Vogue, Burberry, Clearpay and Paul Smith.
Chaired by Edward Enninful OBE, Editor-in-Chief of British Vogue and European Editorial Director, Vogue, the judging committee was made up of representatives from businesses who support the Fund and industry experts Caroline Rush CBE, Chief Executive, British Fashion Council; Adut Akech, Model; Julia Sarr-Jamois, Fashion Director, British Vogue; Lauren Indvik, Fashion Editor, Financial Times; Lizzy Eisenberg, VP International Expansion, Clearpay; Natalie Kingham, Global Fashion Officer, Matchesfashion.com; Rod Manley, Chief Marketing Officer, Burberry, Sarah Harris, Deputy Editor & Fashion Features Director, British Vogue and Sarah Mower MBE, BFC Ambassador for Emerging Talent & Chief Critic, Vogue Runway.
Bethany Williams is the recipient of the of the 2021 BFC/Vogue Designer Fashion Fund.