Latest news with #BFC
Fashion United
2 days ago
- Business
- Fashion United
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 followed by 67 Chinese applicants. Fashion-related visa applications from Nigeria rose from three in 2019 to 145 in 2024. Meanwhile, over the same period, the British Fashion Council (BFC) has endorsed 71 Nigerian applications, also more than any other nationality. The BFC has been granted the power to endorse applications on behalf of the UK's Home Office, which then signs-off on the visas. The council receives around two million pounds a year from the Department of Culture, Media and Sport to promote British fashion and, in recent years, has set about diversifying the local fashion industry. The increase comes as part of a broader surge in talent-related visa applications from Nigeria, with most applying via the route for 'literature'. Since 2019, Nigerians have made 729 applications across artistic global talent categories in the UK, the Telegraph reported. Just 59 percent of them are endorsed.
Fibre2Fashion
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Fibre2Fashion
18% more designers, iconic brands to return to LFW 2025
The British Fashion Council (BFC) has announced the provisional schedule for London Fashion Week (LFW) September 2025, taking place from September 18-22. This season sees an 18 per cent increase in designers showing on schedule, reflecting a renewed focus from chief executive Laura Weir on cultural relevance, global competitiveness and meaningful support for talent. Amongst the strategic changes introduced for this season are the waiving of show fees for designer members showing physically on the main schedule and a doubling of investment in the LFW guest programme, supported by the department for business and trade, to welcome an expanded cohort of international press, cultural commentators and buyers to London. The British Fashion Council announced the London Fashion Week schedule for September 18-22, featuring an 18 per cent increase in participating designers and a strong focus on cultural relevance and global competitiveness. Key highlights include waived show fees for designers, and the highly anticipated return of iconic brands like Burberry, Roksanda, and JW Anderson. The schedule reflects a designer-first approach: ambitious, purposeful and rooted in the creative energy that defines the city, the BFC said on its website. London icons Burberry, Erdem, Emilia Wickstead, Simone Rocha and Roksanda return to schedule, with Roksanda celebrating the brand's 20th year, alongside long-standing talent incubator Fashion East, which marks its 25th anniversary. This season, JW Anderson will host a special evening event in collaboration with the BFC to celebrate the brand's relaunch. BFC/Vogue Designer Fashion Fund winner Conner Ives will show this September, alongside cult label Chopova Lowna who will return to the LFW schedule. The line-up also includes; Ahluwalia, Harris Reed, Labrum London, Marques' Almeida, Paolo Carzana, Patrick Mcdowell, Richard Quinn, Talia Byre and Tove. BFC NEWGEN designers to showcase physically and digitally include Aaron Esh, Aletta, Charlie Constantinou, Ewusie, Johanna Parv, Karoline Vitto, Kazna Asker, Liza Keane, Louther, Lueder, Octi, Oscar Ouyang, Pauline Dujancourt, Steve O Smith, Tolu Coker, The Ouze, The Winter House and Yaku. Bridging culture and commerce, LFW will also feature retail-led activations, with stylist Harry Lambert launching a Disney X Zara collection at Selfridges, and H&M which is returning to the schedule with 'The London Issue' catwalk. In a significant moment of cultural exchange, celebrated Indian designer Anamika KHANNA will make her LFW debut, reflecting the BFC's new commitment to international collaboration and hosting global talent. Other catwalk debuts include Dreaming Eli, Kseniaschnaider and Rory William Docherty. Kyle HO, Lucila Safdie and adaptive fashion brand Unhidden will also make debuts this season with standalone presentations. Fibre2Fashion News Desk (RR)
Fashion United
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Fashion United
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, Manchester, and Newcastle, CWC seeks to serve as a bridge across commerce and culture, supporting retail expansion across the country and deepening connections with the fashion industry by bringing together different business sectors and involving the public in collaborative installations and exhibitions. This year, CWC will launch 'At Home With,' a nationwide series of panel discussions and talks that highlight the geographic background and cultural roots of some of the most renowned British designers. Presented by 1664 Blanc, also a principal partner of London Fashion Week (LFW) for the second year running, the series sees the beer brand continue its commitment to supporting up-and-coming fashion talent while expanding LFW's reach to wider audiences throughout the city and across the entire country. Designers and brands set to participate in the series include Barbour, Kazna Asker, Matty Bovan, Nadine Merabi, Patrick McDowell, S.S. Daley, Talia Byre, and The Winter House. 'At Home With' showcases British fashion talent outside London, highlighting regional designers and connecting with local communities. The new initiative reflects BFC's CEO, Laura Weir's, strategy to spread British fashion influence beyond the capital and recognize creativity nationwide. The program will work alongside the newly announced BFC Fashion Assembly, a creative education initiative developed by Sarah Mower that will launch in schools across the country in 2026. Together, these programs aim to create a comprehensive approach to reimagining British fashion's national identity through local connections and emerging talent development. 'At Home With' kicks off in Liverpool on September 6 in Gordon Ramsay Bread Street Kitchen & Bar, with a panel discussion with S.S. Daley and Patrick McDowell, moderated by Talia Byre. Another talk is scheduled to take place in Manchester on September 13, at the Trafford Centre with Nadine Merabi, The Winter House, Matty Bovan, and Kazna Asker, which will be moderated by Emma Davidson, Fashion Director of Editorial and Partnerships at Dazed magazine. Tickets for the events are available on Eventbrite. Other talks are planned for the following weekends in London and Newcastle, with the full schedule for CWC slated for announcement later this summer. Key BFC Patrons will partner on the activations in each city, including Trafford Centre, Eldon Square, Fenwick Newcastle, and Liverpool One.
Fashion Network
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- Fashion Network
London Fashion Week provisional schedule features more labels for SS26 edition
Just days after the revival of Manchester Fashion Week was revealed, London Fashion Week has unveiled its September (SS26) provisional schedule that includes a less catwalk-centric approach. See catwalk It will be LFW's first event under the new British Fashion Council chief Laura Weir's control and is in line with her aim to make British fashion more inclusive and less centralised. But runway shows remain key to the event and after Weir recently announced that fees for on-schedule participation by BFC members will be scrapped, the 18-22 September LFW will feature almost 20% more shows and presentations than the SS25 edition. Of the all-important big names that fashion weeks need to create buzz, Burberry, Erdem, Roksanda, Simone Rocha and Emilia Wickstead will return this time. And the smaller labels for which London is known will include Ahluwalia, Richard Quinn, Marques'Almeida, Paolo Carzana, Bora Aksu, Di Petsa, Mark Fast, Harris Reed, Labrum London, Patrick McDowell, Chopova Lowena and Tove. Stalwarts such as Ashish, Paul Costelloe will be there while Temperley London, Malone Souliers and Stephen Jones will stage presentations. Conner Ives, who usually only shows in February, will show in September for the first time and Talia Byre will show at LFW for the very first time too. Other interesting appearances will include the eBay Endless Runway, plus H&M&180: The London Issue. After Weir said she wanted to decentralise LFW, the City Wide Celebration is returning. This is a consumer-facing series of experiences and activities during September in London as well as in Liverpool, Manchester and Newcastle. As mentioned, the event will happen just after Manchester Fashion Week makes a comeback after a 10-year hiatus. It will take place over three days from 9-11 September and will include both 'established brands and emerging designers', although the schedule hasn't yet been announced.
Fashion Network
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- Fashion Network
London Fashion Week provisional schedule features more labels for SS26 edition
Just days after the revival of Manchester Fashion Week was revealed, London Fashion Week has unveiled its September (SS26) provisional schedule that includes a less catwalk-centric approach. See catwalk It will be LFW's first event under the new British Fashion Council chief Laura Weir's control and is in line with her aim to make British fashion more inclusive and less centralised. But runway shows remain key to the event and after Weir recently announced that fees for on-schedule participation by BFC members will be scrapped, the 18-22 September LFW will feature almost 20% more shows and presentations than the SS25 edition. Of the all-important big names that fashion weeks need to create buzz, Burberry, Erdem, Roksanda, Simone Rocha and Emilia Wickstead will return this time. And the smaller labels for which London is known will include Ahluwalia, Richard Quinn, Marques'Almeida, Paolo Carzana, Bora Aksu, Di Petsa, Mark Fast, Harris Reed, Labrum London, Patrick McDowell, Chopova Lowena and Tove. Stalwarts such as Ashish, Paul Costelloe will be there while Temperley London, Malone Souliers and Stephen Jones will stage presentations. Conner Ives, who usually only shows in February, will show in September for the first time and Talia Byre will show at LFW for the very first time too. Other interesting appearances will include the eBay Endless Runway, plus H&M&180: The London Issue. After Weir said she wanted to decentralise LFW, the City Wide Celebration is returning. This is a consumer-facing series of experiences and activities during September in London as well as in Liverpool, Manchester and Newcastle. As mentioned, the event will happen just after Manchester Fashion Week makes a comeback after a 10-year hiatus. It will take place over three days from 9-11 September and will include both 'established brands and emerging designers', although the schedule hasn't yet been announced.
