The British Fashion Council announced Bianca Saunders as the winner of the BFC/Vogue Designer Fashion Fund.
Key components of the Prize
The Fund provides the winner with a cash prize of £150,000 to support business growth and their contribution to the global fashion ecosystem, alongside pro-bono bespoke business mentoring and professional services. As part of the BFC Foundation, BFC/VDFF sits within a collective of Prizes & Programmes designed to support the development of commercially resilient British fashion businesses.
About the designer and her brand
Bianca Saunders launched her eponymous label after graduating from the Royal College of Art in 2017. The brand holds a distinctive place within the industry, reinterpreting traditional codes of menswear through a diasporic lens. Rooted in Saunders' British-Caribbean heritage, her work explores clothing as a dynamic expression of identity.
“The BFC/Vogue Designer Fashion Fund has long reflected the creative strength of the British fashion industry, and we are extremely proud to continue this partnership with British Vogue," said Laura Weir, chief executive, British Fashion Council. "Congratulations to Bianca, whose work is not only culturally relevant, but aesthetically compelling and distinctly London in spirit. She represents the best of British fashion talent, combining a strong creative vision with exceptional craftsmanship and storytelling. We look forward to supporting her continued growth and ensuring that the next generation of British designers is not only discovered, but sustained.”
"Winning the BFC/Vogue Designer Fashion Fund is a defining moment for both myself and the brand. This recognition from such a prestigious institution is a profound validation of everything we have built; it provides the essential foundation to scale our operations and continue delivering high-quality, well-crafted collections for women," commented Bianca Saunders, creative director and founder, Bianca Saunders. "I have worked tirelessly to build a creative world that resonates with our community, and the Fund’s support will be transformative! It will allow us to accelerate growth, deepen our commitment to craftsmanship, and realise the brand's full vision on a global stage. I am incredibly grateful to the BFC and Vogue for championing British design and for providing the resources to genuinely compete at the highest level."
The 2026 jury's members
This year’s BFC/VDFF judging panel was chaired by Laura Weir, chief executive, British Fashion Council, and Chioma Nnadi, head of editorial content, British Vogue. Panelists included Alva Claire, fashion model; Alexa Chung, designer, model, Author; Jonathan Kiman, chief marketing officer, Burberry; Julia Sarr-Jamois, fashion director and co-founder, Best Represents; Harry Lambert, stylist, co-creative director, pleasing and contributing fashion editor, British Vogue; Laura Ingham, deputy director, Global Fashion Network, British Vogue; Sally Britton, partner (intellectual property, co-head of retail), Mishcon de Reya; Sarah Mower MBE, chief critic, Vogue.com and BFC Ambassador for Emerging Talent.
