Deadline: 13-Jan-23
The British Fashion Council BFC/GQ Designer Fashion Fund is now open for applications to recognise exceptional talent to award designer businesses with a cash prize to support their growth and contribution to the British and global fashion ecosystem.
The BFC/GQ Designer Fashion Fund aims to celebrate exceptional talent and creativity, and empower businesses through bespoke high-level business mentoring, professional services, and awarding of a £150,000 cash prize.
The Institute of Positive Fashion (IPF) has developed a set of Minimum and Bronze Standards for BFC/GQ DESIGNER FASHION FUND designer participants and its programme of events.
Each of the Minimum and Bronze standards are mapped against the UN’s 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), ranging from ending poverty and deprivation to improving health and education, reducing gender inequalities, developing responsible production and consumption, implementing climate action, and saving their oceans and forests. These 17 SDGs are a united call for action by nations across the globe.
The Standards apply to seven focus areas of a garment’s life cycle: #1 strategic direction, #2 raw material sourcing, #3 design, #4 manufacturing and distribution, #5 retail, consumer engagement and post-consumer, #6 working conditions and #7 fashion shows.
Their aim is for all BFC/GQ DESIGNER FASHION FUND participants to comply with the stipulations of each focus area by integrating the Minimum and Bronze Standards into the criteria, allowing them to assess and monitor.
Award Information
- Awarding of a £150,000 cash prize.
Eligibility Criteria
- In order to be considered for the BFC/GQ Designer Fashion Fund applicants should meet the following criteria:
- Applicants should have an established designer fashion business that has been actively trading for a minimum of 3 years, at the time of applications closing (13th January 2023).
- The applicant’s collection should consist primarily of menswear and/or menswear accessories. All gender collections are eligible. Collections should not primarily consist of womenswear or childrenswear.
- The applicant’s company should be based in the United Kingdom and registered with Companies House (not sole trader).
- The applicant’s company should be majority-owned by the Creative Director/Designer. (No less than 75% of the business is owned by the Founder(s)/Designer(s) and immediate family.)
- Applicants who produce fashion shows are advised to show at London Fashion Week if applicable.
- Applicants should have a minimum of 10 international and UK stockists and/or sell direct- to- consumer (with a minimum of 2 years trading history).
- Applicants should be able to demonstrate support from both UK and international media.
- Applicants can apply up to 5 times.
- The award can only be won once, but applicants can reapply if they have been shortlisted previously and not won.
- Applicants currently in NEWGEN first year or second year are not eligible. Only brands currently in their third year of NEWGEN can apply. Brands that have never been in NEWGEN must still adhere to 3+ years in business criteria.
Assessment Criteria
- Applications will be reviewed against the following areas:
- Creative merit: demonstrating a strong aesthetic and point of difference.
- Contribution of brand and designer to UK fashion ecosystem and how they have given back with their time/resources.
- The level and quality of stockists both international and UK; and/or proven direct- to- consumer sales channels.
- The level and quality of international and UK media recognition.
- The applicant’s ability to demonstrate a clear vision on how the Fund will contribute to the long-term sustainability of their business.
- The applicant’s demonstration of how they are addressing the three pillars of Positive Fashion: Environment, People and Community & Craftsmanship.
- Quality and completeness of application form.
For more information, visit BFC/GQ.
