BFC announces Fashion Forward sponsorship

It's all go at the British Fashion Council this week. They have just announced that Sinha-Stanic, Jens Laugesen and Richard Nicoll have been selected to receive Fashion Forward sponsorship to show their Spring/Summer 2008 collections at London Fashion Week this September.

The release follows.(Sorry, I'm on deadline, so no time to rewrite with acerbic comments. Yet)

The Fashion Forward sponsorship, in association with Westfield London is in its third season. The scheme gives support to British designers who have already established a profile at London Fashion Week through the New Generation programme or who are at an equivalent stage in their business. The sponsorship consists of substantial funding towards a catwalk show at London Fashion Week.

Sinha-Stanic will be receiving Fashion Forward sponsorship for the second time in September, showcasing their contemporary designs for the modern woman. Fiona Sinha and Aleksandar Stanic, who have gained much acclaim since their catwalk debut in 2004, produce garments that are beautifully cut with an easy sophistication that is entirely modern and relaxed. Their stockist line-up is already impressive and is growing gratifyingly fast. Fiona and Aleksandar said "Showing at London Fashion Week has always been a very exciting prospect for our brand, as we believe it to be the most interesting and creative of all fashion weeks. The Fashion Forward award from the BFC and Westfield London is enabling us to do just that, whilst developing our business on both creative and commercial levels. It is initiatives like this that are making London an extremely strong competitor to the likes of NY, Paris and Milan."

Richard Nicoll, who will be receiving Fashion Forward sponsorship for the first time this season, was spotted by the fashion world soon after he graduated from Central Saint Martins MA Course in 2002. He had a promising start to his career when his final year collection was bought by Dolce and Gabbana. Richard, who was named ‘King of shirts’ by Suzy Menkes of The International Herald Tribune, combines menswear fabrics with corsetry and couture detailing, creating strong sculptured garments that are young and fresh with an idiosyncratic accessible style. Richard’s collections are now stocked in more than 30 high-profile stores worldwide.

Richard said: “I am delighted to receive the Fashion Forward award, which has come at a pivotal time for me and the business. The BFC and Westfield London have offered me a life line and are great supporters of strong London based talent. This award will allow me to strengthen our client base and to indulge my ideas for Spring/Summer 08, it’s really exciting.”

Jens Laugesen, who will also be receiving Fashion Forward sponsorship for the first time, has a design philosophy of ‘Hybrid reconstruction’ of generic garments. Jens is currently teaching in Fashion on the MA Course at Central Saint Martins and since 2003, has been designing a capsule collection for Topshop. “I am really honoured to receive the Fashion Forward award from the British Fashion Council and Westfield London because it will enable me to stay and maintain my high profile presence during the coming London Fashion Week. It is great to receive such recognition from the high profile industry panel behind the British Fashion Council, and this coming show will be crucial for the future expansion strategy of my brand. I am very proud to be part of London Fashion Week, and think it is great that a generous award like this exists.’’ Said Jens.