The British Fashion Council (BFC) is delighted to announce Nicholas Daley, Founder of Nicholas Daley, as the winner of the 2022 BFC/GQ Designer Fashion Fund. Daley will receive a 12-month bespoke high-level business mentoring program, pro-bono legal services from Sheridans and a £150,000 cash prize.
“Nicholas Daley is a phenomenon. He has brought to life a menswear vision that is totally his own,” says Adam Baidawi, GQ’s Deputy Global Editorial Director. “On top of his wild and dizzying design talent, Nicholas has a gift for curation, pulling together a diverse collection of collaborators and influences to create a truly modern brand. We couldn’t be prouder to be honoring him.”
I am very honoured to receive this award and I would like to thank GQ the BFC and the industry judging panel for selecting me as this year’s winner. The funding and mentoring program will support me in continuing to grow my brand for the future.”
– Nicholas Daley
Caroline Rush CBE, Chief Executive of the British Fashion Council commented, “With a continued emphasis on community, craftsmanship, and culture and cementing a place at the center of London society – Nicholas Daley is a menswear brand exploring the interplay of fashion, music and art in novel and exciting ways. With a forward-thinking approach, Daley challenges the way fashion is deciphered through presentations, live performances, and films. He is a breath of fresh air and we are excited to see what the brand continues to achieve in the future.”
This year’s shortlist included clothsurgeon, LYPH and Olubiyi Thomas who all had the opportunity to participate in a mentoring programme through the BFC’s Designer Initiatives team, with access to funders, industry experts, and pro-bono legal services from Sheridans. The BFC/GQ Designer Menswear Fund is generously supported by Clearpay.
Chaired by Caroline Rush CBE, Chief Executive, British Fashion Council and Adam Baidawi, Head of Editorial Content, British GQ & Deputy Global Editorial Director, GQ, the judging committee was made up of representatives from businesses who support the Fund and industry experts including Damien Paul, Head of Menswear Buying, MatchesFashion.com; Laurent Malecaze, CEO, Dunhill; Laura Yeomans, Market Development Director, Clearpay UK; Leah Abbott, Stylist; Samuel Ross, 2019 Winner of the BFC/GQ Designer Fashion Fund and Founder, A-COLD-WALL*; Tan France, Fashion Designer, TV Personality and Author; Teo van den Broeke, Style & Grooming Director, British GQ; Yinka Ilori, Multidisciplinary Artist.
Previous winners of the BFC/GQ Designer Menswear Fund include Ahluwalia (2021), A-COLD-WALL* (2019), Craig Green (2016), E Tautz (2015) and Christopher Shannon (2014).
The BFC/GQ Design Fashion Fund is part of the BFC Foundation which supports the future growth and success of the British fashion industry by focusing on three areas: Education, Grant-Giving & Business Mentoring and Institute of Positive Fashion.