With the creative industries and young people feeling the full force of the impact from the pandemic, TikTok have been working on how to foster creativity across the UK and support the next generation of young British talent.
That’s why they are working with the British Fashion Council as the Principal Partner for NEWGEN. NEWGEN is the British Fashion Council’s longest and most internationally celebrated talent programme, that supports excellence in design and aims to build global, high-end fashion brands of the future.
#NEWGEN offers a unique opportunity for aspiring British designers and has paved the way for fashion icons to emerge, including Alexander McQueen, Christopher Kane, Christopher Raeburn, Craig Green, Erdem Moralıoğlu and Simone Rocha.
Rich Waterworth, TikTok General Manager commented: “We are delighted to be working with the British Fashion Council as the Principal Partner for NEWGEN. NEWGEN offers a unique opportunity for aspiring British designers and we are humbled to be a part of this journey in 2021, at a time when supporting emerging talent is more important than ever before. Creativity is at the heart of TikTok, it is a community where originality and individuality can flourish. In 2020 we saw creators from across the globe spark a knitting revival, through their love of NEWGEN alumni, JW Anderson’s, now iconic cardigan; through this partnership with the BFC we hope to see even more moments of joy like this and inspire a whole new generation of British fashion talent”
Through NEWGEN, designers can access financial grants, showcasing opportunities, mentoring and business training sessions to young designers as they develop their business infrastructure and skills.
Caroline Rush CBE, Chief Executive, British Fashion Council commented: “Supporting excellence is at the core of the British Fashion Council’s strategy. The past year was extremely challenging, and much of our support went towards businesses that needed the funds to overcome the pandemic. As we look towards the future, we are delighted to bring back NEWGEN for 2021/22 with the support of a new Principal Partner. The BFC always understood the changing nature of fashion and led the way in technology and innovation. This is why we are extremely proud to be the first international Fashion Council to partner with TikTok to support emerging talent and we look forward to working with the team to showcase the best of what British fashion has to offer.”
Through this new partnership they will be working with the British Fashion Council to create a bespoke programme of activity for all NEWGEN recipients, including streaming support of designer shows, mentoring, masterclasses and digital support for the NEWGEN cohort.
TikTok will also host a NEWGEN venue during London Fashion Week September 2021, with designer shows, hospitality and content creation opportunities.
TikTok is already home to some incredible fashion trends, from cottagecore and darkacademia to Harry Styles’ JW Anderson cardigan kicking off a knitting sensation.
This partnership with the British Fashion Council will enable even more innovative and inspiring fashion content to be shared across the entire #TikTok fashion ecosystem, giving emerging fashion talent and creators a platform to share their own creativity, style and ideas.
Sarah Mower MBE, BFC Ambassador for Emerging Talent and Chair of the NEWGEN committee commented: “NEWGEN has been here to back up extraordinary young talent, from Alexander McQueen onwards. It started in a dark economic time, and it’s here to continue exactly that now. The scheme offers business mentorship, financial support and a platform which flexes over time to support and amplify the changing ideas of the most exciting and socially significant young designers, who will shape the future. It’s more important than ever that the fashion community does its utmost to nurture and protect innovative start-ups in our inclusive British scene. We’re looking forward to seeing the energy and innovation that each and every applicant will bring.”
For more updates from the NEWGEN cohort follow @BFCNEWGEN on TikTok now!
New to TikTok and can’t wait to get discover even more inspiring fashion content? Getting involved couldn’t be easier, simply download the app for free via the Apple App Store, Google Play or Amazon.
