Application & Criteria

Eligibility

• Applicants should be under three years in business when they first apply 
• The applicants studio and business should be based in the United Kingdom
• Applicants should have at least two stockists (can include online, but not own website)
• The collection should consist of womenswear, menswear and/or accessories, millinery, fine jewellery, NOT bridalwear or childrenswear

Phase One - 
Application Process

• Applications for support from May 2019 - April 2020 are now open.
• Please note that this cycle of applications is for both menswear, womenswear and accessories, for support for 12 months
• Please note NEWGEN now includes Rockvault and Headonism
• Applicants should provide two industry-based references, we suggest that a buyer or journalist is a relevant referee
• The equal opportunities section must be completed, but can be anonymous. This will be kept and will not affect your entry
• No samples, press material or look-books should be submitted unless requested

Phase Two - 
Submissions

• When the online application has been reviewed the applicant will receive a response by email
• Guidance notes for submitting samples will be included in a candidate’s application confirmation email. Please do not submit samples unless specifically requested to do so
• Applicants may be asked to submit up to six samples from their current collection, which will be considered alongside the application to reach the final shortlist
• Applicants on the final shortlist are then invited to be interviewed with our selection panel. Following this stage of interviews, the final recipients are selected
• All applicants should be mindful that the NEWGEN selection week will be held in the second half of March - first half of April 2020, exact dates will be confirmed.

Additional Information

• From 2018 onwards, NEWGEN now comprises of three panels, two focussed on Ready to Wear and led by Sarah Mower MBE, and the other focussed on Accessories, led by Stephen Jones OBE and Stephen Webster MBE. 
• A panel of up to 15 judges is selected each season, which includes key industry opinion formers, media, buyers and representatives from the BFC 
• Sponsorship is awarded for up to six seasons, and is reviewed on an annual basis
• Ones To Watch – Support granted to a designer with exceptional talent that are considered to be not quite ready for NEWGEN. The successful applicant will be selected from the NEWGEN applicants, if the panel feels there is a deserving designer
• Financial sponsorship is awarded to all successful applicants, except those awarded Ones To Watch
• The panel is there in an advisory capacity only. There may be certain cases where the BFC feels a particular applicant may or may not be suitable for NEWGEN sponsorship, and the BFC reserves final say
• Applicants can apply up to three times, if unsuccessful