BFC announces Newgen winners

The British Fashion Council has announced that 13 of London’s brightest emerging fashion design talents have been selected to receive BFC Newgen sponsorship, supported by Topshop, to show at London Fashion Week in September 2012.

Leading the 13 recipients for spring/summer 2013 sponsorship is Michael van der Ham, J.W. Anderson, and Simone Rocha, who all return with catwalk sponsorship. While the presentation sponsorship has gone to Christopher Raeburn, J.JS Lee, Lucas Nascimento, Marques Almeida, Nasir Mazhar, and Sister by Sibling.

Additionally, Palmer//Harding, Huishan Zhang, Lim Cooper, and Sophia Webster have all gained exhibition sponsorship, and will join the other sponsorship winners in the Newgen space of the exhibition at London Fashion Week.

Newcomers to the scheme are Portuguese designer duo Marques Almeida, who champions a relaxed, deconstructed and effortless aesthetic; Lim Cooper, an exhibition recipient, whose pieces are beautifully crafted and artfully designed, using traditional craftsmanship fused with modern materials; and Cordwainers shoe designer Sophia Webster.

Established in 1993, Newgen’s alumni include Alexander McQueen, Giles Deacon, Jonathan Saunders, Christopher Kane, Marios Schwab, Richard Nicoll, Roksanda Ilincic, Erdem, Meadham Kirchhoff, Peter Pilotto, Mary Katrantzou, David Koma, Louise Gray and Holly Fulton.

Caroline Rush, Chief Executive, British Fashion Council said: “We are delighted to support this exceptionally talented group of designers and would like to thank Topshop for their support as a sponsor that is now synonymous with Newgen. The calibre of design and talent in the UK fashion industry is outstanding and continues to grow from strength to strength.”

Mary Homer, Managing Director of Topshop, added: "Newgen lies at the heart of London Fashion Week and over the last ten years has supported and developed some of fashion's most successful and greatest talents. I'm delighted that Topshop will continue to be involved in the sponsorship over the next ten years, and I wish this season's winners the best of luck."

The Newgen sponsorship scheme offers designers financial support towards their show/presentation costs, as well as providing business and mentoring support through the BFC in partnership with Shoosmiths, Baker Tilley and Lloyds TSB.

Image: Simone Rocha AW12