British menswear designer Bianca Saunders has been announced as the winner of the 2024 BFC/GQ Designer Fashion Fund, a recognition of her remarkable craftsmanship.
- The £100,000 cash prize is accompanied by a year of invaluable pro-bono business mentoring and legal services to aid Saunders’ brand growth.
- Saunders was selected from a competitive shortlist that included other talented designers such as Labrum London, Saul Nash, and Bleue Burnham.
- Last year’s winner was Grace Wales Bonner, demonstrating the fund’s commitment to supporting groundbreaking talents.
- Bianca Saunders has rapidly expanded her brand and influence, with notable achievements including designing for the 2023 Met Gala.
Bianca Saunders, a British menswear designer known for her innovative designs, has received the prestigious 2024 BFC/GQ Designer Fashion Fund award. This accolade not only provides Saunders with a £100,000 cash prize but also offers 12 months of pro-bono business mentoring and legal services. The support aims to enhance her business prospects and bolster her brand’s development.
The competition for this year’s fund was intense, with Saunders emerging as the victor among other esteemed nominees such as Labrum London, Saul Nash, and Bleue Burnham. The judging panel was co-chaired by Caroline Rush, CEO of the BFC, and Adam Baidawi, head of editorial content at British GQ, and included prominent figures like GQ’s fashion editor Angelo Mitakos and senior style editor Murray Clark.
Bianca Saunders launched her menswear label after graduating from The Royal College of Art in 2017. She was recognised in Drapers’ 30 Under 30 list in 2021 and is notable for her work for the Met Gala, where she dressed the musician Usher in 2023. From 2021 to 2024, Saunders significantly expanded her business, doubling her stockists worldwide to 40 premium retailers, including Selfridges, Browns, and Machine-A in the UK.
Saunders expressed her gratitude for the award, stating it was a ‘dream come true’ and emphasising the vital role of the BFC and GQ’s support in her brand’s journey. She described her community-focused vision as ‘artistic and cool yet understated,’ with aspirations to sustain the brand’s growth and make a lasting impact on the community.
Caroline Rush, CEO of BFC, praised Saunders, highlighting her ‘incredible attention to detail and craftsmanship’. Rush noted Saunders’ hard work in positioning her brand at the forefront of menswear design, celebrating both Saunders’ victory and the talent within the current year’s nominee pool.
Bianca Saunders’s award marks a significant milestone in her career, underscoring her impact on the fashion industry.
