25th July 2012, eBay announces an exciting new partnership with the British Fashion Council (BFC) in a multi-season sponsorship deal of their Fashion Forward initiative. The fashion arm of the UK’s biggest online marketplace will help to support emerging British design talent through the programme, starting at London Fashion Week SS13 this September.
Caroline Rush, chief executive of the BFC says; “Fashion Forward is one of the British Fashion Council’s talent support initiatives; designed to help emerging British designers show and develop their businesses here in London. In its sixth year it has grown to encompass both womenswear and menswear designers and now supports seven designers each year; making this the perfect time to announce eBay as its new sponsor. eBay’s sales statistics are overwhelming and we hope they will help to bring opportunities to the designers they support.”
Melanie Smallwood, head of eBay fashion brands adds; “eBay is more than just an auction house, it’s a shopping destination like no other. You’ll find high street brands selling direct alongside smaller boutiques and international businesses as well as consumer sellers. eBay Fashion unites style seekers and enables you to shop anytime and anywhere. Partnering with the British Fashion Council provides an opportunity to show our support to emerging British fashion talent, helping them to develop the long-term success of their businesses.”
This year’s Fashion Forward designers include six-time NEWGEN sponsorship winner Mary Katzantrou, pattern and colour guru Louise Gray, Henry Holland and James Long, known for his signature knits and embroidered pieces. Melanie Smallwood from eBay will sit on the panel that decides the next round of designers to be supported within the programme; these will be announced in January 2013.
The launch of Spring/ Summer 2013 collections will mark the start of a partnership with eBay Fashion, incorporating a series of high profile activities. This will include eBay supporting Save the Children’s #bidboutique, part of Born to Shop, the charity’s first ever online fashion auction in conjunction with The British Fashion Council. Born to Shop is Save the Children’s fashion and lifestyle initiative under the wider No Child Born to Die campaign banner.
The Born to Shop #bidboutique will showcase donations from leading British designers, celebrities and UK fashion media for a 10 day live auction running on EBay over London Fashion Week and London Fashion Weekend raising funds for the charity’s lifesaving child survival work.
