The British Fashion Council established NEWGEN back in 1993, and it’s since become the most recognized scheme in the world for identifying and supporting emerging fashion designers. The initiative is also supported by the king of the high-street, Topshop, and this year also just so happens to mark ten years of its NEWGEN sponsorship. Its alumni includes the likes of Alexander McQueen and Giles Deacon, so, you can see exactly how effective of a scheme it is.
What does NEWGEN do?
NEWGEN offers financial support as well as business and mentoring support to the emerging designers. So, not only do they advise how they can make the most of their businesses and ensure that they are managed as effectively as possible, but they also provide them with the opportunity of using the BFC catwalk space during LFW, which means that the international eyes of the media world and buyers are strewn upon them. This is obviously an opportunity which would be impossible for an emerging designer to attain alone.
Recipients of NEWGEN for S/S 13
This year, NEWGEN also took prime position at London Fashion Week’s exhibition set inside Somerset House to showcase exactly who its recipients for S/S 13 sponsored by Topshop were, and of course, tFS went for a stroll around to see exactly what was being showcased inside. Catwalk sponsorship was awarded to Michael Van der Ham, J.W. Anderson, and Simone Rocha, with presentation sponsorship going to Christopher Raeburn, J.JS Lee, Lucas Nascimento, Marques Almeida, Nasir Mazhar, and Sister by Sibling. Then, of course, there was also exhibition sponsorship granted, which was awarded to Palmer//Harding, Sophia Webster, and Huishan Zhang, who tFS was actually lucky enough to go along and see.
Via: Topshops Exhibition at London Fashion Week