BFC/GQ Designer Menswear Fund 2015 shortlist revealed

The British Fashion Council has announced the shortlist for the BFC/GQ Designer Menswear Fund supported by Vertu. BFC/GQ Designer Menswear Fund shortlist 2015 includes: Astrid Andersen, Christopher Raeburn, E.Tautz, Matthew Miller and Sibling. The judging panel agreed that each of the shortlisted designers were in a strong position to develop into a global designer brand and ready for the level of support the Fund offers. The shortlisted designers will participate in a mentoring programme developed by the BFC over the next month, where industry experts will provide guidance on topics including branding, leadership, commercial retail, e-tail and wholesale and digital innovation. The shortlisted designers will pitch their business plans to a judging panel on 12th May 2015 when the winner of the Fund will be selected. The Fund provides one designer with a bespoke, high level mentoring support programme over a twelve month period, as well as a £150,000 grant to provide necessary infrastructure to take them to the next stage in their business and £50,000 value in kind services. The Fund is aimed at businesses that have been trading for a minimum of three years, with UK and international stockists and have graduated through the existing BFC talent support schemes or are at a similar stage in their business.