At Downing Street a sparkling soiree was hosted by Mrs. Sarah Brown to celebrate the British Fashion Council’s plans for next year’s 25th anniversary. The audience of ministers, business leaders, designers and media heard BFC Chairman Harold Tillman announce the launch of the UK’s largest ever fashion fund to support emerging design talent in London. Mr Tillman said “The BFC Fashion Fund is set to become the single most significant thing to hit British design in my lifetime. This will allow us to make a real difference to exciting businesses, assisting them to grow and develop here.”

The fund is predicted to become larger than the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund in New York and will be awarded to designers for the first time in November 2009.

An industry report to be commissioned next year will for the first time layout the scope and scale of the fashion industry, demonstrating its impact on the British economy and on our country’s global reputation as a creative force. The British Fashion Council will tackle the need for increased business support and training for designers, working with colleges to incorporate more business development into courses and creating the first MBA in Fashion. The first British Fashion Council portal will be launched which will be a comprehensive online resource for those working in and aspiring to work in fashion. A careers initiative will outline the breadth of roles and inspire a new generation to enter the industry.

The 25 years celebration will mark 25 years of the British Fashion Council, 25 years of London Fashion Week in its current form and 25 years of the Designer of the Year Award. A series of consumer focused initiatives will enable the public to be part of the celebrations.

Image: 10 Downing Street

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