Established in 2008, the BFC/VDFF celebrates exceptional talent and creativity and empowers business growth through bespoke high-level mentoring and professional services. BFC/VDFF is part of the BFC Foundation which brings all the BFC’s charitable initiatives under one umbrella supporting the future growth and success of the British fashion industry. The BFC/VDFF awards designer businesses with a cash prize of £150,000 (~$189,810) to support their contribution to the British and global fashion ecosystem. The fund receives the generous support of British Vogue, Burberry and Paul Smith.
BFC has announced the 2025 BFC/Vogue Designer Fashion Fund (BFC/VDFF) shortlist: Conner Ives, Di Petsa, Dilara Findikoglu, Edeline Lee, and Talia Byre.
The fund, supported by British Vogue, Burberry, and Paul Smith, offers £150,000 to support designer businesses.
The judging panel celebrates British fashion’s creativity and innovation, empowering emerging designers for global success.
This year’s judging panel is chaired by Caroline Rush CBE, chief executive, British Fashion Council and Chioma Nnadi, head of editorial content of British Vogue. The panel comprises of experts from across the fashion industry: Alexa Chung, designer, model, author; Alva Claire, fashion model; Harry Lambert, stylist, co-creative director, pleasing, contributing fashion editor, British Vogue; IB Kamara, editor-in-chief, dazed and art and creative director, Off-White; Jonathan Kiman, chief marketing officer, Burberry; Julia Hobbs, fashion features director, British Vogue; Laura Ingham, deputy director, global fashion network, British Vogue; Sally Britton, partner (Intellectual Property, co-head of retail), Mishcon de Reya and Sarah Mower MBE, chief critic, Vogue.com and BFC ambassador for emerging talent.
“Congratulations to all of this year’s shortlisted designers, who are a true reflection of the creativity, raw talent and innovation that make British fashion so distinctive. Their work reflects the originality and craftsmanship that drive this industry forward and position the UK as a fashion capital globally. We are incredibly grateful to our funders for their continued support in helping these businesses grow and succeed,” Rush said in a press release.
“One of the great honours of my role at British Vogue is to see many talented young designers develop through their careers, so the opportunity to tangibly support these people through this fund is incredible. This shortlist represents a remarkable snapshot of the creativity and energy coming out of Britain right now, and I’m hugely looking forward to chairing this judging panel alongside Caroline,” explained Nnadi.
Fibre2Fashion News Desk (RR)
