In 2025, launching a fashion label is more challenging than ever. With established womenswear brands dominating attention, limited funding, and the pressures of social media, emerging menswear labels face a steep climb.
To help ease this struggle, GQ and the British Fashion Council (BFC) created the BFC/GQ Designer Fashion Fund, now in its 12th year. This initiative offers British designers a valuable opportunity to accelerate their brand’s growth. Past winners include notable names like Bianca Saunders, Grace Wales Bonner, and Nicholas Daley.
The prize package features a £100,000 grant, a 12-month business mentoring program, and pro-bono legal support from Sheridans — all aimed at supporting promising brands.
For 2025, the judging panel has shortlisted five exceptional British menswear talents:
Labrum London
Designer Foday Dumbuya blends West African storytelling with meticulous tailoring, earning a dedicated following in London. After last season’s show, which featured grime icons Akala, Ghetts, Wretch 32, and D Double E performing at Abbey Road Studios, the brand’s trajectory looks strong. Dumbuya says, “For me, it’s about honouring our heritage and embracing the ever-evolving identity of someone from Britain… celebrating the incredible contributions immigrants have made and continue to make.”
Bleue Burnham
Jewellery designer Bleue Burnham crafts pieces inspired by organic forms. His textured rings, set with vibrant stones in silver and gold, have adorned celebrities like A$AP Rocky and Michael B. Jordan, as well as GQ’s Men of the Year honorees with custom ‘class rings.’ Burnham told GQ, “Colour is one of the most emotionally powerful things in the natural world. It touches something deep inside us, even if we can’t fully explain why.”
Clothsurgeon
Parv and Rav Matharu, the couple behind bespoke label Clothsurgeon, are redefining tailoring by merging streetwear with traditional menswear. Known for using premium fabrics to create everything from suits to casual weekendwear, they’ve carved out a fresh approach that appeals to a younger clientele. Parv said, “We’re not doing what the long-established Savile Row tailors do — they’re brilliant at that. We bring something new and invite a younger crowd that might have felt intimidated before.”
Harri
Harikrishnan’s label Harri is recognized for its imaginative designs—think inflated shapes, sculptural latex, and bold silhouettes that blur art and fashion. Since graduating from London College of Fashion in 2020 and winning the BFC NEWGEN award in 2023, his creations have been worn by Tilda Swinton and Sam Smith. Harri promises to become a major name among avant-garde fashion enthusiasts worldwide.
Saul Nash
Saul Nash, a designer with a dance background, infuses his menswear with movement and comfort, combining technical craftsmanship with fluidity. His work has led to collaborations with brands like Lululemon and Nike, as well as appearances at London Fashion Week. Nash explains, “There’s a spectrum between dance and physical theatre—it’s not just choreography but encouraging expression. The story grounds my work and adds a poetic layer to what I create.”
Together, these five designers represent the cutting edge of menswear, each bringing unique visions and talents as they vie for the BFC/GQ Designer Fashion Fund 2025.
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