Pipping the likes of Holly Fulton, Michael van der Ham and Sophia Webster to the post, Mary Katrantzou was presented with the 2015 BFC/Vogue Designer Fashion Fund last night. She’s made the shortlist for four years in a row but lost out to Peter Pilotto last year, Nicolas Kirkwood in 2013 and Jonathan Saunders in 2012. With Erdem and Christopher Kane snagging the 2010 and 11 prizes respectively, Katrantzou is the first female designer to ever win the award.
Entrants presented collections and five-year business plans to a judging panel including Caroline Rush, Joan Berstein and Naomi Campbell, but it was Katrantzou who charmed them all. Along with the glory of the win, our fave London-based Greek designer will receive a bespoke mentoring support program over one year and a £200,000 prize, which she plans to put towards opening her first shop in London, tightening the development process and expanding her team.
Credits
Portrait Alex Sainsbury