Excitement fills the air at the British Fashion Council (BFC) this weekend (June 7 - 9) as the men's edition of London Fashion Week (LFW) kicks off, inaugurated by Ambassador David Beckham (who recently announced a multi-year partnership with Hugo Boss AG for the German fashion company’s flagship brand Boss.)
This three-day London Men's Fashion Week, hosted at the Institute of Contemporary Arts (ICA), is celebrated as a cultural event with a diverse program of presentations, exhibitions, and public talks.
In celebration of LFW's 40th anniversary, this new format emphasises London's status as a global cultural hub and highlights its vibrant creative community. The aim for future LFW events in June is to create a platform for designer businesses and the diverse cultures and communities that have significantly contributed to the British fashion industry.
On Saturday, June 8th, LFW collaborator 1664 Blanc will present "Explorations in Blue" at the official LFW venue, offering the public access to exhibitions and a day of curated industry panel talks. This unique partnership is designed to attract a new audience to LFW, celebrate individuality, support creativity, and break down barriers within the industry.
This year's exhibitions are informed by three distinct cultures: Black culture, focusing on self-love as captured by photographer Stephen Akinyemi; South Asian culture, highlighting patterns, textiles, and craftsmanship as depicted by photographer Tami Aftab; and queer culture, spotlighting young creative voices from the trans+ community, as captured by photographer Dani D’Ingeo.
Rooted in London, the storytelling will highlight British brands and designers, along with personal stories from various communities within these cultures. Referencing LFW40, a retrospective installation will celebrate LFW's global impact and its critical role at the intersection of culture.
The LFW digital platform, londonfashionweek.co.uk, serves as a year-round resource, continuously updated for retailers, media, and consumers to view and purchase collections. This platform will remain the Official Digital Hub, accessible to industry professionals and global fashion consumers alike, fostering collaboration and uniting fashion, culture, and technology.
The SS25 menswear buying season will be followed by the Pitti Uomo trade fair in Florence running June 11 to 14 and Milan Men’s Fashion Week from June 14 to 18, and then Paris Men’s Fashion Week where this season will see some major disruption due to the upcoming Summer Olympics.
Back in London this week, BFC has announced Bianca Saunders as the winner of the 2024 BFC/GQ Designer Fashion Fund (BFC/GQDFF), an award established in 2013. Saunders will receive a £100,000 cash prize to support her business growth and contributions to both the British and global fashion ecosystems. In addition, she will benefit from high-level business mentoring and professional services offered pro bono by BFC Foundation Patrons, the Charity Trustees, Sheridans (legal services), Zedonk, the BFC Fashion Business Network, and individual mentors.
Bianca Saunders launched her menswear label in 2017 after graduating from The Royal College of Art. Her brand is known for merging tradition with modernity and blending masculine and feminine design elements. Saunders’ work draws from the rich social tapestry of Anglo-Caribbean relations, with a focus on her British-Caribbean heritage and the dynamic expression of self through clothing.
Caroline Rush CBE, Chief Executive of the British Fashion Council, praised Saunders, stating, "We were extremely impressed with her incredible attention to detail and craftsmanship. Bianca has worked incredibly hard to position her brand at the forefront of menswear design today. It has been inspiring to watch her and her brand grow over the years. Congratulations to all the shortlisted designers who are a testament to the groundbreaking creative talent in the UK."
Adam Baidawi, Head of Editorial Content at British GQ and Deputy Global Editorial Director of GQ, expressed his delight, saying, "Bianca's radical and soulful vision for menswear is thrilling and impactful. She has built a whole new fashion perspective and united a global community of fans and creatives. Recognized in our GQ Men of the Year Honourees list last year, Bianca's impact on culture is undeniable. We are excited to celebrate one of Britain's most exciting menswear designers."
Bianca Saunders expressed her gratitude, stating, "I am incredibly honoured to win the BFC/GQDFF this year. Being a finalist among designers I admire and joining past winners who inspire me is a dream come true. The support from the BFC and GQ is invaluable for my team and me as we enter our next stage. This opportunity allows us to grow and develop into a sustainably thriving business with a lasting impact on our community. London is at the heart of our brand, and its vibrant creativity has helped us achieve global recognition. I am grateful to my amazing team and the incredible panel of judges. I am excited for the future!"
This year’s judging panel was chaired by Caroline Rush CBE and Adam Baidawi, and included fashion experts Angelo Mitakos, Fashion Editor at GQ; Murray Clark, Senior Style Editor at GQ; Tahir Basheer, Partner at Sheridans; and Nicholas Daley, Designer and Founder of Nicholas Daley. The other shortlisted designers for the 2024 prize were Bleue Burnham, LABRUM London, and Saul Nash.
Meanwhile, the BFC also announced the designers selected for the BFC NEWGEN 2024/25 cohort, who will receive financial grants, showcasing opportunities, and mentoring. The selected designers are: Aaron Esh, Ancuta Sarca, Charlie Constantinou, Chet Lo, Derrick, Di Pesta, Harri, Johanna Parv, Karoline Vitto, Kanza Asker, Leo Carlton, Lueder, Masha Popova, Paolo Carzana, Pauline Dujancourt, Sinéad O’Dwyer, Steve O Smith, The Winter House, Tolu Coker, and Yaku.
The BFC NEWGEN programme supports emerging designers by providing financial assistance, showcasing opportunities, and mentoring to help them build their business infrastructure and skills, crucial in the current post-pandemic, post-Brexit era.
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