The British Fashion Council announced the winners of the BFC Fashion Trust 2026. Founded in 2011, BFC Fashion Trust is a grant-giving programme under the BFC Foundation, supporting designers at pivotal stages of growth through financial investment and tailored industry guidance to help build resilient, future-facing businesses.
Six creatives who have helped redefine the language of London fashion
This year’s selected designers are Clio Peppiatt, Conner Ives, Nicholas Daley, Paolo Carzana, Patrick McDowell, and Tolu Coker.
Since its inception, BFC Fashion Trust has supported 59 designer businesses with more than £3 million in funding via the BFC Foundation, helping scale operations across merchandising, e-commerce, production, and sampling. The programme’s long-term impact was recognised at The Fashion Awards 2025, where BFC Fashion Trust founder Tania Fares received a Special Recognition Award celebrating 15 years of the initiative.
The selection of the winners was overseen by a jury of experts
This year's recipients were selected by a panel, chaired by Caroline Issa, BFC board member and chief executive and fashion director, Tank and included Ade Hassan MBE, Nubian Skin; Andin Fonyonga, Lewis Hamilton Ventures; Barbara Campos, Joseph; Emily Chan, British Vogue; Narmina Marandi, BFC Foundation; Neil Clifford, Kurt Geiger; Richard Johnson, LuxExperience; Timmy Malkoun, Ixora Holdings.
Bold creativity, craftsmanship, and entrepreneurial resilience
Laura Weir, chief executive, British Fashion Council, highlighted BFC's commitment: “As part of our strategy BFC 2030: Access, Creativity, Growth, we have refined the BFC’s Prizes and Programmes and committed to support that is focused, meaningful, and delivers measurable impact. BFC Fashion Trust remains a vital part of that commitment, demonstrating the value of sustained, strategic support for British fashion businesses. We are proud to support this year’s recipients as they strengthen and scale for their next chapter.”
“The shortlisted finalists personified so much of what makes British talent and brands so special, resilience, determination, uniqueness, and boldness. Our panel of experts and business leaders were all impressed by their vision, acumen, and drive, and ultimately, the recipients of the BFC Fashion Trust grants will no doubt use the support to supercharge their businesses at a critical time, which makes this award in particular so crucial,” concluded Caroline Issa, BFC board member and chief executive and fashion director, Tank.
