Alighieri, Charles Jeffrey, Rejina Pyo shortlisted again for BFC/Vogue Fashion Fund

By

Barbara Santamaria

Published
Feb 14, 2020

The British Fashion Council has announced the shortlisted designers for the BFC/Vogue Designer Fashion Fund 2020, with several finalists vying again for the top prize.

Alighieri, Charles Jeffrey, Rejina Pyo and David Koma have all been shortlisted for the 2020 fund after losing to Wales Bonner in 2019. Halpern and Metier complete this year’s list.

David Koma and Rejina Pyo have been consistently considered for the BFC/Vogue Fashion Fund since 2018.

Designer businesses from all over the UK can apply to take part in the prestigious programme, which is supported by British Vogue, Burberry, Label/MIX, Rodial and Paul Smith.

Established over a decade ago, the winner receives a cash prize of £200,000 plus a full mentoring programme for one year, and all finalists are enrolled in a full mentoring programme through the BFC’s Business Development team.

This year’s judging committee is chaired by Edward Enninful, editor-in-chief of British Vogue. Other experts in the committee are Caroline Rush, British Fashion Council; Fran Summers, model; Gemma Metheringham, from Label/Mix; Lauren Indvik, from the Financial Times; Maria Hatzistefanis, from Rodial; Natalie Kingham, from Matchesfashion.com; Paul Smith, designer; Rod Manley, from Burberry; and Sarah Mower, BFC ambassador for emerging talent.

Enninful, chair of the fund committee, said: “The BFC Vogue Designer Fashion Fund continues to be a vital initiative within the UK fashion industry in discovering and supporting emerging talent. The shortlisted designers have all demonstrated immense skill and business acumen to date.”

Caroline Rush, chief executive of the BFC, added: “Congratulations to all the shortlisted designers. It is a very exciting line-up which shows the breadth of talent we have here in the UK. Now more than ever, it is essential for our industry to help and mentor new talent who have the potential to become the next global fashion house and I am delighted that the Fund is able to do so for the 12th consecutive year.”

The shortlisted designers will be interviewed in March with the winner announced in May.