Nicholas Kirkwood took home the fourth BFC/Vogue Designer Fashion Fund prize, the Brits’ answer to our CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund Awards, WWD writes. Sadly, Mary Katrantzou, Peter Pilotto, Emilia Wickstead, and Roksanda Ilincic went home empty-handed. Kirkwood launched his shoe line in 2005 — presenting it to the fashion press that April (Cecilia Dean loved it, says Vogue U.K.) — finally set up shop in London in 2011 and in New York last May, and debuted his first men’s collection this month. He’s also collaborated with the likes of Erdem, Peter Pilotto, and Rodarte, and picked up several honors along the way, including Footwear Designer of the Year by Footwear News and Swarovski Emerging Talent for Accessories prize at the British Fashion Awards. Now he can add another to the list.
So, what exactly did Kirkwood win? £200,000 to put toward his business and eighteen months of mentoring. According to WWD, British Vogue editor Alexandra Shulman said in her speech:
It’s particularly exciting to be here tonight knowing that the recipient of the second BFC/Vogue designer fund award Christopher Kane has now got the support of the big international PPR conglomerate … The winner we ultimately chose was because we were impressed by how they had developed their business along with turning beautiful designs into a brand identity that is already admired worldwide and which has potential for growth.
Alexandra Shulman: building a better future.
