Fashion Forward winners announced

Fashion designers David Koma, Holly Fulton and Michael van der Ham have been awarded Fashion Forward sponsorship to show at London Fashion Week next month. The British Fashion Council announced that the three womenswear

designer will receive support for two consecutive seasons from autumn/winter 2013 through its Fashion Forward initiative, which is supported by eBay Fashion.

Established in 2009, Fashion Forward provides funding to British-based designers to allow them to show and develop their businesses in London. To be eligible, designers must have progressed through NewGen or be at a similar stage in their business, and then each applicant is judged by a panel of industry representatives that this year included Caroline Rush, Chief Executive at the BFC, Melanie Smallwood, head of eBay Fashion Brands, and Paula Reed from Harvey Nichols.

Commenting on the three winners, Rush said: “David, Holly and Michael are three very worthy recipients of the 2013 Fashion Forward scheme. We have seen them grow through the NewGen scheme and are pleased to see their businesses progress to the next level of Fashion Forward sponsorship. We look forward to seeing their collections at London Fashion Week in February.”

Designer David Koma added: “I am delighted to have been awarded Fashion Forward sponsorship and be a part of the ongoing support from the British Fashion Council as this backing will allow me to take my brand to a new level.”

The scheme has previously assisted designers including Christopher Kane, Erdem, Giles Deacon, Jonathan Saunders, Louise Goldin, Louise Gray, Mary Katrantzou, Peter Pilotto, Richard Nicoll, and Henry Holland, who will continue to work with sponsors eBay Fashion for a second consecutive season with an exclusive collection that will appear on eBay during London Fashion Week.

Image: David Koma SS13