It is set to become the single most significant thing to ever hit British design enabling the BFC to make a real difference to growing businesses and change the face of the fashion industry status. The fund is predicted to become larger than the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund in New York and will have a strong impact on the British economy and on our country’s global reputation as a creative force.

Importantly, the British Fashion Council will tackle the need for increased business support and training for designers, working with colleges to incorporate more business development into courses and creating the first MBA in Fashion. The BFC will also launch a website providing important advice for new designers at the click of a button.

Of course, a splash of glamour is to be expected; the British Fashion Awards 2008 will be presented on November 25th, and a joint party with milliner extraordinaire Stephen Jones and the V&A is planned for February 2009, just two of the celebrations planned over the coming year. The British Fashion Awards 2009 next November will be the glittering finale of the year’s activities.