The British Fashion Council (BFC) is delighted to announce TikTok as Principal Partner of its longest and most internationally celebrated talent identification scheme, NEWGEN. The BFC and TikTok will work together to create a bespoke programme of activity for all NEWGEN recipients, including streaming support of designer shows, mentoring, masterclasses and digital support for the recipients. TikTok will host a NEWGEN venue during London Fashion Week September 2021, with designer shows, content creation and hospitality opportunities.
Clearpay, a leader in “Buy Now, Pay Later” known as Afterpay outside of the UK, will also support BFC NEWGEN as Official Partner. Core to Clearpay’s business is supporting new and emerging brands, with the ultimate goal of accelerating the fashion and retail industry in 2021.
Caroline Rush CBE, Chief Executive, British Fashion Council commented: “Supporting excellence is at the core of the British Fashion Council’s strategy. The past year was extremely challenging, and much of our support went towards businesses that needed the funds to overcome the pandemic. As we look towards the future, we are delighted to bring back NEWGEN for 2021/22 with the support of a new Principal Partner. The BFC always understood the changing nature of fashion and led the way in technology and innovation. This is why we are extremely proud to be the first international Fashion Council to partner with TikTok to support emerging talent and we look forward to working with the team to showcase the best of what British fashion has to offer.”
Rich Waterworth, General Manager TikTok commented: “We are delighted to be working with the British Fashion Council as the Principal Partner for NEWGEN. NEWGEN offers a unique opportunity for aspiring British designers and we are humbled to be a part of this journey in 2021, at a time when supporting emerging talent is more important than ever before. Creativity is at the heart of TikTok, it is a community where originality and individuality can flourish. In 2020 we saw creators from across the globe spark a knitting revival, through their love of NEWGEN alumni, JW Anderson’s, now iconic cardigan; through this partnership with the BFC we hope to see even more moments of joy like this and inspire a whole new generation of British fashion talent.”
