BFC Vogue Designer Fashion Fund 2016 shortlist announced

The BFC Vogue Designer Fashion Fund 2016 shortlist has been announced. The fund provides one designer with a bespoke, high level mentoring support programme over a 12 month period, as well as a £200,000 grant to provide the necessary infrastructure to take them to the next stage in its business. The 2016 shortlist is Emilia Wickstead, Mother of Pearl, Osman, Prism and Sophia Webster. The nominated designers are selected by the Fund Judging Committee and have all been chosen for their potential to develop into a global designer brand. Chaired by Alexandra Shulman OBE, Editor of British Vogue, the committee comprises of experts from across the fashion industry: Caroline Rush CBE, British Fashion Council; Ian Lewis, Harrys of London Limited; Joan Burstein CBE, Browns; Lisa Armstrong, The Daily Telegraph; Mary Homer, Topshop; Samantha Cameron, British Fashion Council Ambassador; Sarah Manley, Burberry; Susanne Tide-Frater, Farfetch/Victoria Beckham; and Victoria Beckham. To coincide with the announcement, Harrods will be dedicating one of its world famous windows to the five shortlisted designers. This will be unveiled on January 19 and will run for two weeks. This year the BFC has once again created an exclusive online video series, Designer Fashion Fund, which follows the application process, designer journeys and interviews with the judging panel. The episodes will be published over the course of 2016 and can be viewed at youtube.com/BritishFashionTV and vogue.co.uk. The winner of the award will be announced on March 22.