May 5, 2023 |
The British Fashion Council has unveiled the 22 designers who make up this year’s Newgen initiative. Launched in 1993, the emerging talent and support scheme has helped propel the careers of London’s brightest stars, including everyone from Grace Wales Bonner to Christopher Kane and Jonathan Anderson. Newgen helps designers with both financial grants and mentoring sessions based around business and infrastructure, alongside providing a free space to show their collections during London Fashion Week.
The talents joining Newgen this year include rising menswear stars Aaron Esh and Derrick, recent Central Saint Martins grad Kazna Asker, sculptural jewellery label The Winter House and British-Nigerian designer Tolu Coker. The fivesome join a wealth of talent already receiving support from the initiative, including Saul Nash, Feben, Conner Ives, Labrum London, S.S.Daley, Robyn Lynch and Sinéad O’Dwyer.
Marking 30 years since its inception, BFC Newgen will be celebrated in an exhibition taking place at the Design Museum to coincide with London Fashion Week this September. Sponsored by Alexander McQueen (one of the inaugural brands to receive Newgen support), the exhibition will be guest curated by Sarah Mower MBE, lauded fashion critic and BFC ambassador for emerging talent.
“Newgen is a foundation of London’s reputation for continually producing and uplifting young talent of all kinds, from everywhere. What is extremely moving and impressive about this generation is that they are activists; they are committed to sustainability, equality, and equal opportunity and that’s something we’re really proud of,” says Mower.
Top image: Aaron Esh AW23 by Adam Peter. More details on the British Fashion Council’s Newgen Exhibition will be announced in the coming months.
