British Fashion Council announces NEWGEN sponsorship winners

Ten of London's brightest emerging talents will receive sponsorship to showcase their AW15 collections at London Fashion Week (20th to 24th February, 2015) from NEWGEN sponsored by TOPSHOP.

The NEWGEN designers will again be given a dedicated showroom for four hours after their show or presentation giving buyers the opportunity to make sales appointments with the designers.

NEWGEN is the BFC's landmark scheme to support the very best emerging talents whose ambition is to build global, high end fashion brands for the future. The scheme offers designers financial support and showcasing opportunities at London Fashion Week to present their AW15 collection to influential press and buyers from around the world.

NEWGEN designers are identified by their creativity, strong design aesthetic and point of difference. The NEWGEN committee, chaired by Sarah Mower MBE, focused on selecting designers who are ready for the profile, platform and support that NEWGEN offers.

The BFC, with support from the NEWGEN committee and TOPSHOP, will deliver individualised support and business seminars to assist the designers as they build their own infrastructure and skills.

Sarah Mower MBE, BFC Ambassador for Emerging Talent, Contributing Editor to Vogue US and Chair of the NEWGEN selection commented: "NEWGEN produces the stars of London Fashion Week - the phenomenal progress of Marques'Almeida in six seasons of support is proof of that. Following in their footsteps is a whole new slew of discoveries whose sparky originality and careful entrepreneurialism have won them the praise of the NEWGEN committee and TOPSHOP's invaluable sponsorship.

"We think the quality, colour and sheer desirability of the clothes audiences will be seeing from 1205, Ashley Williams, Claire Barrow, Danielle Romeril, Faustine Steinmetz and Ryan Lo will step up yet another rung this season. And now they're joined by an influx of three brilliantly individualistic young women, Molly Goddard, Marta Jakubowski and Sadie Williams".

Since its inception in 1993, NEWGEN sponsorship has acted as a promotional launch pad for young designers, attracting media profile, orders and investment whilst offering encouragement and support for new talent. Previous NEWGEN winners include Alexander McQueen, Christopher Kane, Erdem, Jonathan Saunders, J.W. Anderson, Mary Katrantzou, Nicholas Kirkwood, Roksanda Ilincic and Simone Rocha.

Mary Homer, Managing Director of TOPSHOP, commented: "The NEWGEN initiative is one of the most exciting platforms for emerging design talent out there and the home-grown leading fashion names showing on-schedule at London Fashion Week are proof that it works. The program continues to inspire us and the business and we are committed to its future.”

The NEWGEN committee comprises Sarah Mower MBE, BFC Ambassador of Emerging Talent (Chair); Alexander Fury, The Independent, The Independent on Sunday and I, Fashion Editor; Anna Orsini, British Fashion Council, Strategic Consultant; Barbara Grispini, British Fashion Council, Curator, LONDON show ROOMS and Brand Development consultant: Caroline Rush, British Fashion Council, CEO; Francesca Burns, Fashion Editor, British Vogue; Kate Phelan, TOPSHOP, Creative Director; Laura Burlington, Fashion Consultant; Laura Hinson, British Fashion Council, Showcasing Manager; Laura Larbalestier, Browns, Buying Director; Madelaine Evans, TOPSHOP, Buying Director; Melanie Rickey, Grazia, Pop and Ponystep Contributing Editor; Michelle de Conto, British Fashion Council, Business Support Advisor; Narmin Mohammadi, British Fashion Council, Head of Showcasing; Rebecca Lowthorpe, ELLE, Assistant Editor; Ruth Chapman, Matchesfashion.com, Co-Founder; Sheena Sauvaire, Chief Marketing Officer, TOPSHOP; Stavros Karelis, Machine A, Founder.