As we discussed last week, the coronavirus pandemic has brought with it considerable hardship for those working in industries reliant on independent business and freelance labour.
Among those industries of course is fashion, with global logistical gridlock grinding supply chains to a halt. Though fashion work has long had a reputation for precarity, the current crisis has left many in positions more vulnerable than ever before.
That’s why the British Fashion Council has announced the creation of the BFC Foundation Covid Crisis Fund, an initiative to support the UK’s myriad independent designer businesses through these trying times.
With funds pooled from the institution’s talent grants, including NEWGEN and the BFC Fashion Trust, £1m will “be allocated to support more designer businesses who will need it during this crisis and a number of students directly through restricted education funds,” read a statement.
As welcome a gesture of support as this is, the funds required for the industry to weather the storm in the long term is likely to be much higher than the amount the BFC is able to offer alone. That’s why the industry and individuals are being urged to donate to ensure the fund’s longevity, with more information available here.
For those looking to apply, applications for funding are set to open this week closing on April 10th.