News for devoted fans of menswear – we have in our hands the five talented designers that make up this years BFC/GQ Designer Menswear. Hot of the fashion presses. So who are the fab five? Well, in no particular order (in other words, the order we copy-and-pasted off the press release): Astrid Andersen, Craig Green, Christopher Raeburn, Lou Dalton and Sibling. Hurrah! We couldn’t think of a more deserving bunch. “The winner will receive a bespoke, high level mentoring support programme over a twelve month period,” the BFC say, “as well as a £150,000 grant to provide necessary infrastructure to take them to the next stage in their business and £50,000 value in kind services”. Not being not blessed with business acumen, we aren’t entirely sure what that means, but a big bag of cash doesn’t sound like a bad thing. Even if it does have to go back into the business, blah, blah. Dylan Jones OBE, Editor of British GQ and Chair of London Collections Men adds, “The 2016 shortlist is an outstanding example of the talent in the UK’s menswear market. It is a great example of the variety and spread of designers that are working here in London. Working with Vertu and the BFC/GQ Designer Menswear Fund panel is an opportunity to project these brands to the next stage and every one of them has the ability to win the biggest prize in menswear.” Congratulations to all five – the winner will be announced on Wednesday 18th May.
Photograph by Jason Lloyd-Evans, backstage at Craig Green AW16
