Usual suspects nominated for first BFC Vogue fashion fund

Christopher Kane, Erdem, and Marios Schwab -- all regular recipients of the British Fashion Council's NewGen support schemes -- have been announced as contenders for the organization's new fund in collaboration with British Vogue.

Christopher Kane, Erdem, and Marios Schwab - all regular recipients of the British Fashion Council's NewGen support schemes - have been announced as contenders for the organization's new fund in collaboration with British Vogue.

Nicholas Kirkwood, who has been building his reputation as a shoe designer for the past seasons and designed for Rodarte among others, E. Tautz, who shows as part of London Fashion Week's extended men's schedule, and accessories label Angel Jackson were also nominated as were Clements Ribeiro and Richard Nicoll. The winner will be announced in the May issue of Vogue UK.

Similar to the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund in the US, the British Fashion Council (BFC) Vogue Designer Fashion Fund is meant to foster home-bred talent.

The UK already has a number of coveted fashion talent prizes such as NewGen or Fashion Forward, which are also awarded by the council.

But at £200,000 (€221,410), the new award offers unparalleled financial support - "with no expected return or shareholding" - and intense mentoring by fashion industry insiders.

London is considered the world's number one fashion capital when it comes to emerging talent. However, the city is suffering from 'brain drain' to Paris (Gareth Pugh, Giles Deacon) and New York (just recently announced: Peter Jensen).