BFC news and archive

The Fashion Awards 2025 announces first nominees

The British Fashion Council (BFC) has announced the Designer of the Year, British Womenswear Designer, British Menswear Designer and the Vanguard Award nominees for The Fashion Awards 2025. The annual awards will take place on December 1 at The Royal Albert Hall in London, and will celebrate British and international fashion talent while also...

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Retail

Backing British and exclusive entries: John Lewis adds 100 fashion brands to range

John Lewis is doubling down on fashion. The British department store has confirmed it is expanding its clothing range through the addition of over 100 brands this year, a strategy that has been further enhanced by a collaboration with the British Fashion Council (BFC). At the crux is the intention to create a “carefully curated range that offers...

Fashion

BFC pivots award category to honour evolving role of stylists

The British Fashion Council (BFC) has redirected an award category as part of its partnership with Pandora, honouring the evolving role and work of stylists. For The Fashion Awards 2025, set to take place December 1, the organisation will reveal the first recipient of the Style Moment of the Year Award presented by Pandora. The award, previously...

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Business

Nigerians lead the way in UK fashion visas according to report

New data has shown that Nigerians make up the majority of accepted British visas in relation to fashion when compared to people from any other country. According to the Telegraph’s analysis of official data, there have been 291 Nigerian applications for fashion visas between 2019 and 2014, the highest number among all countries. This was...

Fashion

The British Fashion Council to bring back the City Wide Celebration this fall

The British Fashion Council (BFC) has announced the return of the City Wide Celebration (CWC) this September. A curated programme of special experiences and activations, the event is designed to connect brands, retailers, designers, and the public in cultural institutions and leading hospitality venues. Taking place across London, Liverpool,...

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Fashion

London Fashion Week SS26 will have 18 percent more designers showing on-schedule

The British Fashion Council (BFC) has released the provisional London Fashion Week (LFW) schedule for the spring/summer 2026 season, taking place from September 18 to 22 across the British capital city. The showcase marks the BFC’s new chief executive, Laura Weir’s first season in charge and will feature an 18 percent increase in on-schedule...

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Fashion

BFC’s Laura Weir says it's “time to reset” in first speech as CEO

Laura Weir, the British Fashion Council’s new chief executive, has been in her role for 77 days, and at the BFC’s summer party in London, she unveiled several strategic updates designed to drive the “next British fashion era,” as she looks to revitalise the fashion economy for British designers. In her speech at the Serpentine Pavilion, Weir...

Fashion

BFC and Pandora name winners of inaugural Student Prize

The British Fashion Council (BFC), together with jewellery specialist Pandora, has announced the winners of the first Pandora x BFC Student Prize 2025. The recipients were unveiled during an event at London’s Old Sessions House, where student talent from the BFC Colleges Council network were honoured. For this edition, Elizabeth Knight, from the...

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People

BFC taps Karen Blackett to board of directors

The British Fashion Council (BFC) is turning to the expertise of former government official and marketing leader Karen Blackett to flesh out its board of directors. Blackett’s appointment to the board comes as June Sarpong prepares to wrap up her tenure at the organisation by the end of June. Blackett brings to the BFC experience at leading...

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Business

In wake of tariffs: UK fashion and retail band together on call for VAT-free shopping

A new letter issued to Rachel Reeves, is calling on the UK Chancellor to consider reinstating a tax-free shopping scheme as concerns mount over tariffs. The letter, seen by FashionUnited, was signed by the CEOs of Walpole, the British Retail Consortium (BRC), the British Beauty Council and the British Fashion Council (BFC), each representing...

People

Patrick McDowell wins Queen Elizabeth II Award for British Design

Patrick McDowell has been selected as the recipient of the Queen Elizabeth II Award for British Design. The Liverpool-born designer was presented with the award by the Princess of Wales, Kate Middleton, during an event at 180 Studios. He joins the ranks of SS Daley, Saul Nash and Labrum London as a winner of the award. Introduced in 2018, with...

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Fashion

Conner Ives among BFC Foundation talent support scheme recipients

The British Fashion Council (BFC) Foundation, the registered charity for the BFC, has named the recipients of its annual support schemes, including BFC NewGen in partnership with Pull&Bear, BFC/Vogue Designer Fashion Fund, BFC/GQ Designer Fashion Fund and BFC Fashion Trust. The objective of the BFC Foundation is to support the future growth and...