Fashion
The British Fashion Council will be giving out £1 million to 37 brands in total.
To help designers and fashion businesses during the coronavirus pandemic, the British Fashion Council is awarding £1 million to 37 labels for its 2020 Foundation Fund. Eftychia, Chopova Lowena, Halpern, Phoebe English, Richard Quinn, and more were all announced as recipients of the grant. In a similar fashion in the U.S., the annual CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund was repurposed as an initiative for 2020, titled "A Common Thread" and to help aid businesses that have been affected by COVID-19.
"This grant has come at a time of such incredible need for funds for small fashion businesses, and we are extremely grateful and appreciate so much the decision of the BFC to create these grants and give us all the opportunity to get past this extremely difficult time," said Chopova Lowena designers Emma Chopova and Laura Lowena in an official statement. "Through the support of the BFC with the additional funding we will be able to continue our brand and carry on the production of our orders."
Each label will receive a maximum of £50,000 (about $61,109) in addition to mentoring from leaders in the fashion industry.
"Over the last couple of weeks, we have seen an astonishing amount of applications come through from British designer businesses all over the country, asking for help to survive the crisis. The need for support is immense," said British Fashion Council CEO Caroline Rush in an official statement. "Our hope is to re-open the fund for future rounds, to help as many businesses as possible, and ensure the future growth and success of the British fashion industry."
Of the 37 total, meet nine of our favorite brands receiving the BFC's grant below.
Chopova Lowena
Emma Chopova and Laura Lowena of Chopova Lowena were recipients of the LVMH prize in 2020, receiving part of the €300,000 (about $324,789) prize money. The brand prides itself on recycling fabrics and using deadstock materials, while its pleated skirts have become a street style hit during fashion month.
Richard Quinn
The 30-year-old designer Richard Quinn, whose runway shows included Queen Elizabeth herself in the front row, has already become a celebrity favorite, being worn by Jennifer Lopez and Kendall Jenner on the red carpet.
Eftychia
Eftychia Karamolegkou, who graduated from the masters program at Central Saint Martins in 2018, is still running her label as a small, independent business, but has received plenty of industry buzz.
Halpern
Halpern's bright, textured designs will transport you back to the '80s. Jodie Comer and Céline Dion are already fans.
Phoebe English
Phoebe English proudly rejects the idea of fast fashion, focusing on sustainability and making every piece in London.
16Arlington
If the brand sounds familiar, perhaps it's from Lena Dunham making her runway debut at 16Arlington's show in London back in February.
Richard Malone
The Irish designer Richard Malone took home the International Woolmark Prize earlier this year for his collection inspired by his hometown and commitment to sustainability in fashion.
Bianca Saunders
Bianca Saunders approaches her menswear collections with fun in mind, combining her London upbringing with her Jamaican heritage. Her most recent show was essentially a dance party at 9:30 in the morning.
Charles Jeffrey LOVERBOY
Charles Jeffrey's love for spectacle isn't limited to runway shows. His designs combine vintage with punk with lots of knitwear.
The full list of grant recipients for the British Fashion Council's 2020 BFC Foundation Fashion Fund includes Alighieri, 16 Arlington, Ahluwalia, Aries, Art School, Bethany Williams, Bianca Saunders, Chalayan, Charles Jeffrey Loverboy, Chopova Lowena, Craig Green, David Koma, E. Tautz, E.L.V. Denim, Edeline Lee, Eftychia, Halpern, King & Tuckfield, Kwaidan Editions, Liam Hodges, Matty Bovan, Metier, Nabil Nayal, Neous, Nicholas Daley, Palmer/Harding, Paper London, Paria Farzaneh, Per Gotesson, Phoebe English, Raeburn, Rejina Pyo, Richard Malone, Richard Quinn, Roksanda, Stefan Cooke, and Toogood.
