British Fashion Council Announces Nominees for BFC Changemakers Prize

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The prize is a new project aimed to discover and celebrate individuals within the fashion industry the unsung stars with the ability to ignite dreams, who go above and beyond, making outstanding contributions, striving for positive change, and inspiring others on their journey. It was launched earlier this year and it was open to anyone related to the fashion world. The focus is to celebrate individuals and champion inclusivity and innovative thinking.

Swarovski, a long-term partner of the BFC, is committed to reward those who are part of the creative industries and create a positive impact as fashion’s hidden heroes. The nominees were selected by colleagues, peers, employers, and businesses for their outstanding work within one of the three pillars of the BFC’s Institute of Positive Fashion (IPF): Environment, People or Craftmanship and Community. According to the Council’s press release, the prize received over 500 applications. The nine finalists were chosen by a panel of judges made up of: BFC Chies Exevutive Caroline Rush, Swarovski Creative Director Giovanna Engelbert and included Edward Enninful, Editor-In-Chief, British Vogue & European Editorial Director, Vogue; Farrah Storr, Editor-In-Chief, ELLE UK; Ib Kamara, Editor-In-Chief, Dazed, Jo Ellison, Editor, How to Spend It & Deputy Editor, FT Weekend; Lily Cole, Model & Activist; Munroe Bergdorf, Model & Activist, and Tan France, Fashion Television Personality.

The nominees represent the talent of the industry across multiple disciplines. Three winners, representing each of the IPF pillars will be revealed on Thursday 2^nd September and will be awarded with £7500 cash prize along with a mentoring package, from BFC and Swarovski, to keep up their good work.

THE NOMINEES

PEOPLE

• Cyndia Harvey, defined as one of the most exciting hairstylists of the generation, she aims to represent beauty in its entire spectrum and use her talent and tools to fight for the visibility of underrepresented groups of society.
• Laura Johnson & Zoe Proctor’s agency, Zebedee Talent Agency, represents models with disabilities and differences. They have come to become the home of marginalised groups.
• Rahemur Rahman is a filmmaker and campaigner that aims to represent the British Bangladeshi communities in London as well as transgender rights in Bangladesh through teaching. 

ENVIRONMENT

• John Hickling, founder of Glass Onion in South Yorkshire, he’s growing a factory that only “remakes” vintage clothing cutting, sewing, and remaking 12,000 remade pieces per month.
• Natalie Glaze and Zanna Van Dijk are the co – founders of Stay Wild Swim, a sustainable swimwear brand that creates its products from ocean plastic. They have developed the world’s first fully circular swimsuit.
• Patrick McDowell, an innovative young designer, works in his eponymous label and as Sustainability Design Director for Pinko fashion house. He is also Global Ambassador for the Graduate Fashion Foundation.

COMMUNITY AND CRAFTMANSHIP

• Andrew Kenny, Owner of The London Embroidery Studio in East London, uses traditional skills to generate exciting new techniques with cutting edge embroidery machines. Alongside this, he offers courses to the local community, often with discounts for disadvantaged members/those on a low income.
• Cozette McCreery is an integral member of the Emergency Designer Network researching, funding, and bringing together designers and technicians across the industry. In other words, she is a connector and brand ambassador at Iceberg.
• Daisy Knatchbull, founder of The Deck London, the first – ever solely female shop front in Saville Row history. It’s a made to measure tailoring house created by women for women.