L-R Massimiliano Pogliani, Christopher Shannon, Caroline Rush and Dylan Jones.
L-R Massimiliano Pogliani, Christopher Shannon, Caroline Rush and Dylan Jones.

LONDON, Jun 9, 2014/ — For the inaugural BFC/GQ Designer Menswear Fund supported by Vertu, Central Saint Martin graduate Christopher Shannon has been named the winner of the £150,000 cash grant and £50,000 value in kind services.

Established in September 2013, the BFC/GQ Designer Menswear Fund provides one designer with £150,000 grant to provide necessary infrastructure to take them to the next stage of their business and £50,000 value in kind services, including a bespoke, high level mentoring support programme over a twelve month period.

Dylan Jones, Editor of British GQ and Chair of London Collections: Men commented “A big congratulations to Christopher Shannon, the deserving winner of the very first BFC/GQ Designer Menswear Fund. Over the mentoring programme every shortlisted designer presented a level of talent and business acumen that is second to none.”

“While the competition was tough, Christopher Shannon’s win attests to the very bright future of British menswear, demonstrating original flair, meticulous craftsmanship and an in-depth commercial understanding. These ingredients, combined with this fantastic prize, will see this business sit confidently on the global stage,” Mr. Jones added.

Massimiliano Pogliani, CEO of Vertu commented: “It has been a privilege for Vertu to mentor the five shortlisted designers. What we at Vertu were looking for was the willingness to always go the extra mile, the ambition to develop the business and the brand at the same time, and the enthusiasm to keep on learning. With Christopher Shannon this was clear from the start. He demonstrated the vision and focus to build what I believe could be a global presence. Christopher Shannon has all the potential to build a very solid and distinctive brand and I am sure we will be seeing a lot more of him.”

For more information visit www.britishfashioncouncil.com/designermenswearfund

Photo by Darren Gerrish