The British Fashion Council (BFC) is pleased to announce the recipients of its 2020 BFC MA Scholarship schemes. The scholarships provide funding to those who have an offer from or are currently studying for an MA at a BFC Colleges Council member college.
Education is at the heart of the BFC Foundation and the BFC has been awarding students MA scholarships since 1998. At this time, the support of upcoming talent establishing pathways through education is more critical than ever. The UK has some of the best fashion schools in the world and supporting students is imperative to maintaining the country’s position as the birthplace of global fashion talent.
Caroline Rush, Chief Executive BFC said:
“We have been faced with truly the most impactful crisis of a generation and at this time, supporting and empowering upcoming talent is more important than ever. The BFC offers support to help young people at every level to realise their ability, ensuring the future growth and success of the British fashion industry. Academic scholarships provide young designers from all backgrounds with the opportunity to eventually work in the creative industries, paving the way for the future generations of talent.”
This year BFC MA Scholarship recipients are as follows:
BFC CHANEL MA Scholarship
The MA Scholarship, funded by CHANEL, is available to students accepted on an MA Fashion Design course in the UK. The scholarship covers the course tuition fees with a contribution to course costs or living expenses. Brandon Choi from Central Saint Martins is the 2020 recipient.
BFC DIOR MEN MA Scholarship
The MA Scholarship, funded by DIOR MEN, is available to students interested in menswear design accepted on an MA Fashion Design course in the UK. The scholarship covers the course tuition fees with a contribution to course costs or living expenses. Joe Pearson and Adam Alaoui Elyassé who is in his final year, both from Central Saint Martins are the 2020 recipients.
BFC MA Full Scholarship
The BFC MA Scholarship is available to students accepted on an MA Fashion Design course in the UK. The scholarship helps towards course tuition fees with a contribution to course costs or living expenses. Dominic Huckbody from Central Saint Martins, Shanti Bell from Royal College of Art, Jessan Macatangay from Central Saint Martins, Pearl Quist from University of Salford and Edward Mendoza from Central Saint Martins are the 2020 recipients.
BFC MA Final Year Scholarship
The BFC MA Final Year Scholarship is offered to students in their final year of an MA Fashion Design course in the UK to cover production costs for their final collections. Natasha Sweeney from Central Saint Martins is the 2020 recipient.
These recipients will be joining the 2019 cohort. In 2019, BFC MA Full Scholarships were awarded to Connor Baxter, Fraser Miller, Jimmy Howe, all students at Central Saint Martins and Aurelie Fontan, a student at Royal College of Art.
11 BA BFC scholarships have also been awarded, joining 4 current BA recipients. BA BFC Scholarship graduating recipients will be announced in June.
All scholarships are awarded by the BFC Foundation (Registered Charity Number: 1185152) with financial support to students to complete their courses. The BFC Foundation brings all of the BFC’s charitable initiatives under one umbrella, supporting the future growth and success of the British fashion industry by focusing on three areas: Education, Grant-Giving, Business Mentoring and the Institute of Positive Fashion.
Applications were open from 17th to 23rd August 2020 and were assessed on the basis of talent and financial need, using information given in the application, the portfolio, the applicant’s financial circumstances and references received. All applications were short listed by panels of academics, the BFC and industry representatives: Alexander Fury, Amanda Harlech, Chioma Nnadi, Karen Binns, Libby Page, Orsola de Castro and Pierre A. M’Pelé. The panel was chaired by Sarah Mower MBE, BFC Ambassador for Emerging Talent.
Find out more about the scholarships here.