Browns links with BFC for NewGen sponsorship

By

Sandra Halliday

Published
Dec 5, 2018

The British Fashion Council (BFC) has unveiled a new partnership with Farfetch-owned luxury retailer Browns to support the NewGen initiative. This identifies and supports emerging talent with the aim of building the luxury brands of the future. 

Browns is now one of a number of NewGwen partners that “will strengthen the support system for young designers by helping to fund the scheme.” It will also sit on the NewGen judging panel and “provide key business and retail expertise through mentoring programmes.”

Browns CEO Holli Rogers said joining the sponsor group upholds “the Browns legacy of championing new talent and innovation. Through partnerships like this, we will continue to demonstrate the Browns ethos."

And it’s undeniable that the store has been a major incubator for new talent since the 1970s having been the first to introduce a raft of big names to the UK over the decades. 

NewGen itself has been a key support system for a number of names that have gone on to make a major impact, and current recipients include A-Cold-Wall, Charles Jeffrey Loverboy, Halpern, Phoebe English, and Richard Quinn.

The scheme offers financial support, showcasing opportunities “and the time and support to hone in on critical business skills to future-proof their businesses.”

Sponsorship is awarded annually to both womenswear and menswear designers who show at either London Fashion Week or London Fashion Week Men’s. And this year it has added accessories, including all categories across shoes, bags, hats, jewellery and fine jewellery.