BFC Fashion Forum: Recent Episodes
British Fashion Council
Brought to you by the British Fashion Council, a series of conversations with designers and the broader creative community, all of whom play a vital role in the fashion industry’s culture and reputation, promoting British creativity on a global scale.
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For episode four, photographer Campbell Addy is joined by designer Tolu Coker,and model James Corbin to discuss the importance of telling the stories of cultural identity within fashion and exploring their individuality through shared cultural experiences. The conversation focuses on the pressures of being Black in the fashion industry, and how to remain authentic in the face of criticism and obstacles.
About Campbell:
British-Ghanaian artist and photographer Campbell Addy draws inspiration from his culturally diverse upbringing, this has informed an intricate discovery of the self and a unique eye. In 2023, Campbell was awarded the Isabella Blow award in for Fashion Creator at The Fashion Awards presented by Pandora.
About Tolu:
Tolu Coker is a young British-Nigerian Fashion and Textiles Designer, Illustrator and Multi-Disciplinary Artist based in London. Merging artisan craftsmanship with innovative technology, her mainly- unisex designs have a key focus on deconstruction and sustainability and her work has since been internationally recognised, and is supported by the BFC NEWGEN initiative.
About James:
James Corbin is a fashion model and creative based in London who has fronted global campaigns for Levi’s and Valentino and starred in editorials for Dazed and Vogue Italia.
About the BFC Fashion Forum Podcast:
Brought to you by the British Fashion Council, a series of conversations with designers and the broader creative community, all of whom play a vital role in the fashion industry’s culture and reputation, promoting British creativity on a global scale.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
For episode three, Vogue Business Executive European Editor, Kirsty McGregor is joined by CEO and Co-Founder of Tomorrow, Stefano Martinetto, and Founder and Buying Director of MACHINE-A, Stavros Karelis to discuss the ongoing cultural and socio-economic implications of Brexit on the British fashion industry. Combining their knowledge and experiences from across the industry, Kirsty, Stavros and Stefano highlight the necessity for a collaborative community, alongside organisations like the BFC, to support young and independent designers through times of social and economic uncertainty.
About Kirsty McGregor:
Kirsty McGregor is executive European editor at Vogue Business. She was previously the editor of UK-based fashion trade magazine Drapers. She joined Drapers in 2014 from a background of social policy journalism.
About Stefano Martinetto:
Stefano Martinetto is chief executive and co-founder of Tomorrow, a growth and development platform founded in 2008 for fashion brands. Tomorrow are the lead investors in brands such as A-Cold-Wall*, Charles Jeffrey Loverboy, Colville and Martine Rose, as well as retailer MACHINE-A.
About Stavros Karelis:
Stavros Karelis is founder and buying director of independent concept store MACHINE-A, known supporting young design talents by stocking them alongside established brands. Karelis is also a judge for the BFC's NEWGEN initiative.
About the BFC Fashion Forum Podcast:
Brought to you by the British Fashion Council, a series of conversations with designers and the broader creative community, all of whom play a vital role in the fashion industry’s culture and reputation, promoting British creativity on a global scale.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In this episode designer Jawara Alleyne and writer and cultural communications thought leader Yasmin Jones-Henry discuss how designers can utilise indigenous knowledge and traditions to create truly sustainable brands. Delving into their Caribbean heritage, Jawara and Yasmin highlight how many indigenous groups have rich histories of sustainable production and consumption and they discuss the resounding positive impact of their upbringing on their work.
About Jawara:
As an interdisciplinary artist, creative director and educator, designer Jawara Alleyne graduated from London’s Central Saint Martins in 2020, going on to launch his namesake brand on the London Fashion Week schedule as part of Fashion East in 2021.
Jawara’s work is rooted in identity - linking together inspiration from Jamaica, where he was born, the Cayman Islands, where he grew up and London where he currently resides.
About Yasmin:
Yasmin Jones-Henry is a writer for the Financial Times, a cultural placeshaping strategist and co-founder & curator of The Lab E20.
Working across investment, real estate, the creative industries and public art, Yasmin is committed to demonstrating the power of culture and co-creation as catalysts to unlocking inclusive regeneration and positive growth, continuously linking her work back to the legacy of community, craft and the power of collective creativity.
About the BFC Fashion Forum Podcast:
Brought to you by the British Fashion Council, a series of conversations with designers and the broader creative community, all of whom play a vital role in the fashion industry’s culture and reputation, promoting British creativity on a global scale.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Kicking off Season 5 of the British Fashion Council's Fashion Forum Podcast, journalist and writer Lauren Cochrane talks to London based designer and BFC NEWGEN alumni Martine Rose in ‘What Does It Mean To Be a Designer Today?’.
About Martine:
Awarded BFC NEWGEN in 2014 and the recipient of the British Menswear Designer of the Year Award at The Fashion Awards in 2017, 2018 and 2023, Martine Rose is an award winning British-Jamaican designer based in London, who began her eponymous brand in 2007.
A force in the Menswear scene in the UK and internationally, Martine quickly rose from cult fashion brand status to the founder of a global, critically acclaimed business.
About Lauren:
Lauren Cochrane is a British journalist and author with almost 25 years of experience in the fashion industry. Writing and editing for some of the UK’s leading publications; Vogue, i-D, The Sunday Telegraph to name a few. Lauren currently works as Senior Fashion Writer of The Guardian and is also the author of ‘The Ten’, published in 2021, which chronicles the history of staple fashion items.
About the BFC Fashion Forum Podcast:
Brought to you by the British Fashion Council, a series of conversations with designers and the broader creative community, all of whom play a vital role in the fashion industry’s culture and reputation, promoting British creativity on a global scale.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Entertainment editor Josh Smith is joined by celebrity stylist Rose Forde and red carpet photographer Richard Young to discuss the past, present and future of the red carpet. From iconic fashion moments and red carpet critics to present day political statements and challenging gendered dressing, how have the rules of the red carpet changed for good?
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2022 BFC/GQ Designer Fashion Fund recipient Nicholas Daley is joined by Tan France to discuss his journey in the fashion industry, from his studies at Central St Martins, receiving NEWGEN support, to winning the 2022 BFC/GQ Designer Fashion Fund.
The two discuss Nicholas's ongoing influences, his Scottish and Jamaican heritage and early musical interest, creative community, sustainable practices, and future ambitions.
Creative Director Susan Bender Whitfield is joined by Lucinda Chambers and JoAni Johnson to discuss age diversity in the fashion industry. From supermodel revivals to intergenerational teaching, the three discuss the importance of age representation in creative fields.
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Journalist Amanda Cosco is joined by Metaverse strategist Damara Ingles and co-founder of The Fabricant Amber Jae Slooten to explore fashion's opportunities within the Metaverse discussing virtual fashion shows, digital twins, NFTs and the growing digital fashion landscape.
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Designer, Giles Deacon, is joined by renowned 90’s fashion show photographer, Gavin Bond, ahead of his first solo exhibition at London’s Hamilton Gallery and the upcoming release of his retrospective photobook ‘Being There’. From shooting backstage during the rise of the supermodel, to being invited to the Maison’s of the great designers of the decade, Gavin and Giles discuss what it was like, being there.
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Writer & Fashion Historian Shelby Ivey Christie hosts a conversation with costume designer Colleen Atwood and Katy Lubin, VP of Brand at Lyst about the impact of fashion on screen. From blockbuster films to streaming platforms, explore the ways that fashion and costume plays a role in character development and on screen storytelling while influencing how we all dress.
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Outreach practitioner Berni Yates speaks to Foday Dumbuya, founder and creative director of LABRUM London and Georgina McManus, chief legal officer at Manolo Blahnik about their individual journeys into the fashion industry, through non-traditional means. From short courses, community mentorships and lesser known roles within fashion businesses, they explore alternative routes into the creative industries outside of higher education fashion and arts institutions.
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Writer and journalist Dominic Cadogan speaks to BFC NEW WAVE: Creatives & makeup artists Raisa Flowers and Mata Marielle about the intersections of fashion and beauty. Discussing their rise to success in both industries, uplifting the next generation of creatives and the joy and power in Black creative collaboration.
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Activist and content creator Aditi Mayer is joined by communications consultant, George MacPherson, and Josephine Philips, founder of sustainability start-up Sojo, to discuss the current state of the sustainable fashion conversation and how the industry, businesses and consumers can root future sustainability conversations with tangible goals and action.
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Model, actor and musician Shaun Ross hosts a conversation with fellow model and activist, Aaron Rose Philip, and co-founder of inclusive talent agency Zebedee, Laura Winson, about the importance of disability representation on screen and behind the scenes; celebrating visible differences in the fashion industry, and the impact on wider society.
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The journalist Susie Lau, aka Susie Bubble, hosts a touching and emotional conversation with her friend, the designer Prabal Gurung, about issues around racism towards the Asian community in the fashion industry, and the Slaysians initiative he has built aimed at promoting positive change.
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The prize-winning British menswear designer Bianca Saunders speaks to her creative collaborator, the stylist and publisher Karen Binns, about breaking down preconceptions around menswear design and building a brand with currency and meaning in today's culture.
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Priyanka Chopra Jonas, the actress and British Fashion Council ambassador for positive change, shares stories with her stylist, the “image architect” Law Roach and Laura Brown, editor-in-chief of InStyle. As well as telling the stories behind some of Priyanka’s most famous red carpet looks, they talk about the power of heritage and legacy clothing as a sustainable fashion option; the importance of supporting up-and-coming designers; and creating opportunities for South Asian designers.
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Josh Rivers, creator and host of the podcast Busy Being Black, speaks to journalist Phillip Picardi (formerly CCO at Teen Vogue and founder of .them), fashion designer Charles Jeffrey, and gender non-conforming musician James Potter from the Scottish band Walt Disco about their personal experiences with faith and identity; how they fell in love with fashion; and how individual actions can lead to collective change.
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Acclaimed fashion designer Mary Katrantzou talks to Sophia Neophitou-Apostolou, editor-in-chief of 10 Magazine, about how their Greek heritage informs their work, overcoming naysayers and enduring through challenging times.
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Zinnia Kumar, the model, cultural advisor and writer, talks to London-based designer Kaushik Velendra about overcoming culture shock and systemic discrimination as well as discussing their contribution to an Indian luxury fashion renaissance.
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Florence Huntington-Whiteley, model and co-founder of CogDis, a creative ethics consultancy, talks with her partner and co-founder, the designer Claire Yurika Davis, and Tori West, editor of independent, queer-led publication Bricks Magazine, about their utopian ideas on the importance of boundaries and mental wellbeing in the workplace and how the fashion industry can adapt.
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Highsnobiety editorial director Christopher Morency speaks to Farfetch founder, chairman and CEO José Neves about the post-pandemic fashion and retail landscape, and how a modern brand can evolve to stay relevant.
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Fashion designer Harris Reed speaks to Tim Blanks about dressing without gender boundaries, and how the reaction to the Harry Styles American Vogue cover is an example of how far the dial still needs to move. Reed also shares thoughts on the new wave of creatives leading the fashion industry, as well as how the future of the industry is playing out.
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Trey Gaskin, the writer, model and podcaster, talks to designer Olubiyi Thomas and stylist and founder of Boy.Brother.Friend, KK Obi, about sustainability, creating authentic publishing, and how the fashion industry can help foster change.
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Tommy Hilfiger talks to Financial Times' Jo Ellison about his brand’s work around inclusivity, equal opportunities and environmental initiatives. He also shares his tips on how to build an enduring fashion business, and his favourite things about London.
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The American model Tess Holliday speaks to ELLE UK Editor in Chief, Farrah Storr, about her journey overcoming negative attitudes to her appearance in order to realise her dream. The pair also share ideas on how to succeed at your chosen career in fashion and harness the positive power of social media.
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Friends Julietta Dexter, founder and chief growth and purpose officer at ScienceMagic.Inc, and designer Anya Hindmarch talk about how to build forward-looking, conscious entrepreneurial endeavours and the importance of kindness and sharing values when it comes to solving environmental issues.
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Sustainability advocate Wilson Oryema leads a discussion with Allbirds sustainability manager Hana Kajimura, fashion designer Phoebe English and fashion designer and textile researcher Rosie Broadhead, on the danger of toxic chemicals on our skin, experimenting with live bacteria, creating the lowest carbon shoe imaginable and making natural dyes from locally-sourced avocado stones.
Gabriela Hearst, the creative director of her namesake brand and newly-appointed creative director at Chloé, speaks to journalist and contributing editor at British Vogue, Ellie Pithers about her pioneering environmental initiatives in sustainable luxury and circular fashion, and shares what it was like dressing First Lady Jill Biden for the inauguration.
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Stylist Amanda Harlech and designer Erdem Moralioglu MBE spend the evening sharing stories and discussing everything from the value of the British craft industry and forward-looking solutions for designers to their favourite decade in fashion.
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Hoor Al Qasimi, creative director of Qasimi and president and director of Sharjah Art Foundation, speaks to her friend John Akomfrah CBE, the artist and film-maker, about social responsibility in art and culture, and how it can relate to fashion.
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Rosh Mahtani, the designer of jewellery brand Alighieri, and Supriya Lele, designer of the eponymous clothing label, speak to Gianluca Longo, style editor at British Vogue, about how personal history shapes their approach to design and their efforts to express brand values through their work.
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Irish designer Richard Malone speaks to Nell Kalonji, the stylist and senior fashion editor-at-large for AnOther Magazine, and Berni Yates, the fashion and textiles lecturer, about how aspiring fashion students can get started and find a voice, regardless of their financial situation or upbringing. Focusing on the importance of community and friendship, they share their own stories of overcoming financial and emotional obstacles on the path to professional fulfilment and share advice on how others can do the same.
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Stella McCartney OBE has a powerful, passionate message for young people working in fashion today. This episode explores Stella’s own creativity, activism and the iconic brand that has pioneered sustainability in fashion for the past 20 years. In a heartfelt discussion with the journalist Alex Fury, she shares stories from her personal experience about her upbringing and how her family encouraged her interests; her adventures as an apprentice in Paris and London; how she coped with bias and stuck to her beliefs; and the innovative tech and engineering companies she’s working with in her continued efforts to challenge the status quo.
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Tiffany Calver, DJ and Radio Host, talks to Stylist Leah Abbott and Musician Jimothy Lacoste about what influenced their fashion choices growing up, how 2020 has changed the relationship between music and style, and the new music emerging from across the UK that they’re most excited about.
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At a time of momentous change, the Photographer and Filmmaker Campbell Addy sits down for a conversation with Gabriella Karefa-Johnson, Fashion Director of Garage Magazine, addressing the importance of mentors, keeping your ego in check, and the power of the collaborative spirit.
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Alastair McKimm, editor in chief and creative director of i-D magazine, talks to Evan Mock, the Hawaiian skater and surfer, and Jordan Vickors, the British DJ and stylist, about how their shared love of surfing, music and skate culture led to an interest in fashion, as well as how British street style culture in general influences fashion on a global scale.
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Elgar Johnson, Fashion Director at GQ Style, leads a discussion with Priya Ahluwalia, Designer of the label Ahluwalia, and Gary Armstrong, Senior Fashion Editor at GQ Style, relating from personal experience how racism manifests in the British fashion industry, and how to implement effective change.
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Charles Jeffrey, founder of the fashion label Loverboy, is joined on the podcast by fellow designer Matty Bovan and their former tutor, MA course leader at Central Saint Martins, Fabio Piras, to examine how fashion education has changed since lockdown and to identify some surprising new creative opportunities.
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Caroline Issa, co-owner and Fashion Director of Tank Magazine, talks to British menswear designer Paria Farzaneh, to discuss how her Iranian heritage imbues her designs. As well as recalling her own uncompromising path to becoming a designer, she talks about how others can follow their own dreams by staying true to their vision.
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June Sarpong, the BBC’s Director of Creative Diversity, talks to former Porter Magazine Editor Lucy Yeomans about her pioneering fashion gaming app Drest. Having worked at the intersection of fashion and tech since her tenure at the helm of Porter Magazine, Lucy talks about how tech and fashion can work together to promote positive changes in the industry, and how her own journey as a fashion creative has taught her that fashion is not just about being well-dressed, but about having a voice.
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Kenya Hunt, Fashion Director of Grazia UK, talks to Bethann Hardison, the pioneering fashion advocate, former model and agent best known for her work creating change within the fashion industry as it relates to diversity. As well as recalling stories from Bethann’s own experience as a black model, they discuss how fashion brands are responding to the current political climate, and the positive steps many of them are taking towards change.
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Catherine Hayward, Fashion Director of Esquire UK, meets Arsenal footballer Hector Bellerin to talk about veganism, photography and meditation, and how he developed a love of fashion. They discuss how he has overcome prejudice and bullying in his career, and how he believes fashion and sport can unite to support diversity and push boundaries even further.
This episode was recorded on 5th June.
Recorded on the 27th May, Dylan Jones, BFC Menswear Chair and Editor-in-Chief of British GQ , talks to the musician and British Fashion Council Ambassador Tinie Tempah about the relationship between fashion and music and the entrepreneurial spirit required to build a clothing brand.
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