CEO Caroline Rush (Apr 2009–) | Founded 1983 | |
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Formation 6 January 1983; 34 years ago (1983-01-06) Purpose Promote British fashion in the UK and internationally Location Somerset House, South Wing, Strand, London WC2R 1LA
London, England Website British Fashion Council Leaders Natalie Massenet, Caroline Rush Profiles | ||
British fashion council royal opera house costume masterclass
The British Fashion Council (BFC) is a non-profit trade group for British fashion designers founded in 1983. Its main goal is to promote British fashion design in both the UK and internationally. Organising the twice-yearly London Fashion Week is one of the primary activities.
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British fashion council year in review 2015 2016
Leadership and activities
Based in London, it is currently chaired by Natalie Massenet and its chief executive is Caroline Rush. Previous chairs of the BFC have included Edward Rayne, Harold Tillman and Sir Stuart Rose.
A key activity of the BFC is to organise the twice yearly London Fashion Week, the main showcase for high fashion brands operating in the UK. The organisation also organises the annual British Fashion Awards, designed to celebrate leading designers and newcomers to the industry.
Another facet of the organisation's activities is to support the next generation of designers by supervising fashion higher education and apprenticeships in the United Kingdom.
Development of the organisation
The British Fashion Council (BFC) was established in 1983 as a not-for-profit limited company. Prior to the establishment of a single body to promote the interests of the British fashion industry, there were a number of organisations that existed to promote different interests within British fashion. These included: