British Fashion Council Announces NewGen Designers for 2024/2025
By Boniface Ihiasota, USA
The British Fashion Council (BFC) has revealed a new cohort of designers for its prestigious emerging talent support initiative, NewGen, Excel Magazine International can report.
For the first time, this initiative will be supported by Pull&Bear, a fashion brand owned by Inditex.
Celebrating its 30th anniversary last year, NewGen provides designers with financial grants, showcasing opportunities, and individual mentoring and training sessions.
Excel Magazine International was informed that these resources aim to help emerging designers develop their business infrastructure and skills.
Pull&Bear, as the principal partner, will offer direct financial support and mentorship to each brand in the scheme.
Additionally, the brand will provide a platform for storytelling through its new experiential vertical, “Canvas for Creativity.”
Designers were selected for their “creativity, strong design aesthetic, and point of difference” by industry-led panels chaired by Sarah Mower, BFC Ambassador for Emerging Talent.
The new designers entering the program for 2024/25 include Charlie Constantinou, Johanna Parv, Lueder, Steve O Smith, Pauline Dujancourt, Karoline Vitto, and Yaku.
These designers join a distinguished group of past NewGen participants such as Aaron Esh, Ancuta Sarca, Chet Lo, Derrick, Di Petsa, Harri, Kazna Asker, Leo Carlton, Masha Popova, Paolo Carzana, Sinéad O’Dwyer, The Winter House, and Tolu Coker.
Since its launch in 1993, BFC NewGen has supported notable designers, including Alexander McQueen, Bianca Saunders, Christopher Kane, Duro Olowu, Grace Wales Bonner, Kim Jones, Jonathan Anderson, and Richard Quinn.
In related news, the British Fashion Council announced a comprehensive refresh of its menswear-dedicated fashion week last year as part of a broader strategic shift within the organization. This transition is being overseen by BFC Chairman David Pemsel, who recently joined the board.
