The foghorn has sounded to mark the latest additions to London’s longstanding tradition of platforming young talent. In other words, the British Fashion Council has announced the designers who will be obtaining support for this year’s instalment of its NewGen programme. The initiative, which was founded in 1993, provides financial support for emerging British designers as well as opportunities to showcase during London Fashion Week, mentorship and training sessions. Choosing to focus on the business side of building a brand, selection comes down to a judging panel specifically curated for the various facets of ready-to-wear and accessories encompassed by the programme, with each panel chaired by industry veteran Sarah Mower.

Returning for the 2025/26 year is menswear maven Aaron Esh, the function-first eponymous labels of Charlie Constantinou and Johanna Parv as well as Brazilian designer Karoline Vitto, whose sexy, wired dresses champion bodies of all sizes. Also staying on the roster is Yemeni-British designer Kazna Asker who used her show slot last season to put on her own souk and Tolu Coker, who’s colourful, unapologetic interpretation of her Yoruba heritage have lead her to become a fash pack fan fave.

Joining the line-up for the first time will be design duo Aletta, who’s innovative approach to clothing has seen them create geometric garments out of paper, CSM alum Joshua Ewusie with his eponymous brand Ewusie and Louther, the Olympia Schiele-founded brand which has cut its teeth on the show schedule for the past few seasons with Fashion East.

An intake brimming with talent, as it always is, this next chapter in the NewGen programme comes as part of a continued effort by the BFC to platform young designers and catalyse their careers. The NewGen programme runs in tandem with other initiatives that have the same aim, including awards like the BFC/Vogue Designer Fashion Fund, BFC/GQ Designer Fashion Fund and BFC Fashion Trust. This intake also marks the first troop of Newton talent supported by the BFC under the helm of Laura Weir, the journalist and industry expert who assumed the role of chief executive officer at the BFC after Caroline Rush’s departure which came into effect in April.

See the complete list of the recipients of the BFC NewGen 2025/26 programme here:

Aaron Esh

Aletta

Charlie Constantinou

Derrick

Ewusie

Johanna Parv

Karoline Vitto

Kazna Asker

Liza Keane

Lueder

Louther

Oscar Ouyang

Octi

Pauline Dujancourt

Steve O Smith

The Ouze

The Winter House

Tolu Coker

Yaku

Photography by Max Glatzhofer.

britishfashioncouncil.co.uk