Mary Katrantzou has won the 2015 BFC/Vogue Designer Fashion Fund. The London-based creative, best known for her vibrant palette and innovative digital-print techniques, beat an impressive shortlist of fellow London Fashion Week names including Emilia Wickstead, Holly Fulton, Michael van der Ham, Mother of Pearl, Osman and Sophia Webster. Alexandra Shulman – the editor of British Vogue and the chairman of the Foundation – commented on the decision of the jury: "Mary Katrantzou deserved the award. This year's shortlisted was very diverse. But in the end we all agreed that Mary has created not only a strong and attractive brand, but among other things has already taken a number of measures that, together with the support of the Fund must ensure successful growth of her career". This year's shortlisted, in addition to Mary were Emilia Wickstead, Holly Fulton, Michael van der Ham, Osman, Mother of Pearl and Sophia Webster. Each designer had to present his collection and a business plan for the next 5 years to the committee. A jury headed by Alexandra Shulman included Caroline Rush (British Consul fashion), Ian Lewis, Mary Homer (Topshop), Joan Burstein as well as Naomi Campbell, Samantha Cameron, Sarah Manley (Burberry) and Susanne Tide-Freighters (Farfetch / Victoria Beckham). The fund was established in 2008 and gives the designer support for 12 months as well as a grant of 200,000 lire to help the winner to take the business to the next level. The organization includes companies such as Burberry, Debenhams, Harrods, Paul Smith, Topshop and Vogue. The winners of the award in the past were such designers as Peter Pilotto, Nicholas Kirkwood, Jonathan Saunders, Christopher Kane and Erdem. "You go through different stages of growth in your business and this past year specifically has been huge for us so it's incredible to win now. Before the announcement I didn't really think, 'What if we win?' Everyone is just so strong in different ways, and everyone needs the award for different reasons, that you never really consider that. You are constantly called to raise your game by all the amazing talent that's around you here in London and that can inspire you to do great things. Having mentors like Alex Shulman, Sarah Mower, Caroline Rush and Natalie Massenet means that you get that boost and the advice you need as you go along, which is really important to nurture your business commercially as well as creatively. I'm so grateful." - Mary Katrantzou Other guests of the event Photographs: Indigital, Vogue
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