NEWGEN is a BFC initiative that supports the very best emerging talent and aims to build global, high end fashion brands of the future. It is the most established designer development scheme globally.

NEWGEN offers designers financial support, showcasing opportunities and the time and support to hone in on critical business skills to futureproof their businesses. The BFC, with support from the NEWGEN committee led by Sarah Mower MBE, delivers individual mentoring and business training sessions to assist the designers as they develop their business infrastructure and skills. NEWGEN designers are identified by their creativity, strong design aesthetic and point of difference.

NEWGEN now encompasses Accessories (including all categories such as shoes, bags, hats, jewellery & fine jewellery). Historically NEWGEN has always been open to accessories, and now Rock Vault and Headonism has been absorbed under the NEWGEN initiative, demonstrating the breadth and depth of emerging talent we have, across all designer fashion categories in the UK. We will have specific panels - one focused on Ready to Wear (RTW) and the other on Accessories. Sarah Mower MBE will lead the RTW panel and Stephen Jones OBE and Stephen Webster MBE will lead the Accessories panel alongside other accessories experts. 

2019/20 NEWGEN recipients are; ASAI, A-COLD-WALL*, Ahluwalia Studio,  Alighieri, ART SCHOOL, Bethany Williams, Bianca Saunders, Charles Jeffrey LOVERBOY, Halpern, ISOSCELES Lingerie, Matty Bovan, Nicholas Daley, paria /FARZANEH, Per Götesson, Richard Malone, Richard Quinn, Roker, Stefan Cooke, Supriya Lele & NEWGEN ONE TO WATCH; Eftychia.

Support

NEWGEN recipients will receive regular mentoring and financial support. Bursaries are at the discretion of the BFC, based on recommendations by the panel of experts.  All designers will be required to actively participate in business support and mentoring to help develop their businesses as well as their profile as part of this support scheme.

Criteria

NEWGEN is open to menswear, womenswear and accessories businesses whose businesses are based in the UK. All designer applicants must have a minimum of two stockists (this cannot include own store or webstore) and must be under three years in business to qualify for review.