BFC launches membership service to foster collaboration

By

Barbara Santamaria

Published
Nov 20, 2019

The British Fashion Council is becoming a membership organisation with news that it has launched an annual subscription for fashion designers and direct-to-consumer brands.

The paid programme will offer members access to a professional network of British designers, plus relevant industry news, government updates and insight reports. Other benefits include the opportunity to attend business development seminars, workshops and events from across the fashion industry.

Additionally, members can vote for The Fashion Awards, the annual fundraising event that will return to the Royal Albert Hall in London on 2 December.

Caroline Rush, CEO of the British Fashion Council, explained: “The BFC is moving to a membership organisation as part of our mission to encourage collaboration and inclusivity, inviting designers to come together in support of the fashion industry’s eco-system. 

“We invite and welcome new members to join, whose involvement and efforts will enable the future sustainable growth of our industry.”

The BFC’s Designer Relations team will support the new membership programme, which is open to applications from fashion designers and businesses which have been trading for at least two years, are a registered business with Companies House, produce ready-to-wear or accessories collections, have a creative director and contribute both creatively and economically to the British fashion industry. 

There are different membership levels, from designer members to patron members, determined by annual turnover. Fees start from £500 per year for members with less than £1m turnover to £25,000 per year for businesses with over £150m annual turnover.