The British Fashion Council has announced the list of next years’ NEWGEN designers, who will receive a generous sponsorship to show at LFW in February 2012. The 15 emerging womenswear and menswear designers will be supported by Topshop and will show off their A/W 2012 collections. David Koma, Holly Fulton, J.JS Lee, J.W Anderson, Michael Van der Ham and Simone Rocha will receive catwalk sponsorship. Christopher Raeburn and Thomas Tait both receive presentation sponsorship, while Nasir Mazar and SISTER by SIBLING get installation sponsorship. Finally, the NEWGEN awarded exhibition sponsorships are as follows; Huishan Zhang, James Long, Lucas Nascimento, Palmer/Harding and Tim Soar.

The NEWGEN scheme offers both financial support towards the designer’s collections but allows them to utilise BFC Show or exhibition space. It is a hugely important introduction for UK design talent to show off their work to influential press and big buyers from across the globe. Sarah Mower, BFC Ambassador for emerging talent said: “The calibre and variety of the talent coming up through NEWGEN is a brilliant reflection of exactly why London fashion will shine in 2012… The panel was impressed at the way this new, incredibly diverse set of individuals are united in their focus on concentrating on something so special and professional at such a young age.”

David Koma and Holly Fulton, who have become recognisably industry names in the past year, will be joined by brand new talents working their way through the presentation and exhibition stages. J.W Anderson will show for the second time on the Fashion week runway, after a successful S/S 2012 debut in September. Simone Rocha will receive catwalk sponsorship for the very first time in 2012, due to increased press interest and his pieces being made available in some of the most prestigious international stockists. Knitwear brand SIBLING is launching a sister womenswear line, SISTER by SIBLING and have been granted with NEGEN sponsorship for instillation, along with Nasir Mazar whose pieces have already been worn by the likes of pop legends Lady Gaga and Madonna.

Decadent eveningwear designer Huishan Zhang will show at the exhibition space for the first time at LFW, alongside 2008 LCF graduate Lucas Nascimento. His geometric and textural designs show an innovative approach to knitwear. Lucas previously showcased his collections at Rio Fashion Week, so is welcomed back to London. Also utilising NEWGEN sponsorship for exhibition space is Tim Soar and James song. Song’s ingenious use of leather and denim in his designs will exhibit alongside Soar’s second womenswear line.

Congratulations to the 15, who join a long list of impressive NEWGEN alumni including; Alexander McQueen, Matthew Williamson, Giles Deacon, Erdem, Mary Katrantzou and Jonathan Saunders. The internationally recognised design talent showcase is being supported by Topshop for the 10th year in a row in 2012. In what is shaping up to be quite a year for London, Topshop’s backing of the NEWGEN scheme has remained unsurpassed, often offering exclusive collaborations with the Topshop brand beyond fashion week. Recognising the 10th anniversary of support, big celebrations are already being planned for February. Although no details of what these celebrations might be have been announced, we are already very excited indeed!