The British Fashion Council announces the new names of "BFC NEWGEN" In partnership with Pull&Bear, the programme continues to support emerging talent
The British Fashion Council has announced the designers selected for the BFC NEWGEN programme in partnership with Pull&Bear for the 2026/27 cycle. Established in 1993, the initiative continues to stand as one of the leading platforms supporting emerging British fashion talent, offering financial backing, mentorship and visibility during London Fashion Week.
The initiative is part of the BFC’s new strategy, BFC 2030: Access, Creativity, Growth, aimed at transforming support programmes into tools for long term and tangible growth. Within this vision, NEWGEN has been restructured to provide more focused and strategic support, concentrating resources on a smaller group of creatives. The goal is to move beyond media exposure alone by giving emerging designers the tools needed to build solid and sustainable businesses: funding, infrastructure, consultancy and direct industry access have therefore become key pillars of the programme.
The designers selected for this edition include both returning names from previous editions and new additions: A Letter, Charlie Constantinou, E.W. Usie, Francesca Lake, Gui Rosa, Johanna Parv, Karoline Vitto, Liza Keane, Lueder, Octi, Oscar Ouyang, Pauline Dujancourt, Petra Fagerström, Steve O Smith, The Ouze and Yaku.
Laura Weir, Chief Executive of the British Fashion Council, also highlighted how the programme continues to represent a fundamental starting point for many of the most relevant names in contemporary British fashion, underlining the BFC’s commitment to offering stronger support during a crucial stage in designers’ growth. Designers are selected for their creative vision, distinctive aesthetic language and innovative approach to ready-to-wear and accessories design.
The jury is chaired by Sarah Mower MBE, BFC Ambassador for Emerging Talent and Chief Critic at Vogue Runway, alongside Laura Weir, Chief Executive of the British Fashion Council. Panel members also include Anna Orsini (British Fashion Council), Christopher Kane (Mulberry), Dickon Bowden (Dover Street Market), Fanta Ouka Diawara (Chanel), Josephine Philips (Sojo), Karen Binns (10 Magazine), Maria De Los Angeles Serret De Ena (Pull&Bear), Stavros Karelis (Onassis Foundation) and Tamison O'Connor (ELLE).
Sarah Mower, BFC Ambassador for Emerging Talent and Chief Critic at Vogue Runway, also emphasised the creative and entrepreneurial value of the selected talents, describing London Fashion Week as a space where new ideas and new business models can emerge through a solid support network built on mentorship, consultancy and investment.
The NEWGEN programme also continues to be made possible through an ongoing network of collaboration and support involving institutions and strategic partners. The BFC thanked the Department for Culture, Media and Sport for its continued support of the initiative, alongside DLA Piper for legal services and RSM for business development and management mentoring.
