Topshop to continue Newgen sponsorship

Sir Philip Green has confirmed that Topshop will continue to sponsor London Fashion Week’s Newgen initiative for another 10-years, securing the survival of the hugely successful programme. The businessman announced the retailers

continued partnership with the British Fashion Council at a press conference to launch the Future of Fashion - Strategic Considerations for Growth report. He stated that it is his personal goal to mentor at least a further two or three designers from the ground-up to the world stage to emulate previous successes.

Over the past 10 years, 120 designers have been supported by the Newgen scheme including current recipients David Koma, Holly Fulton, J.JS Lee, J.W. Anderson, Michael van der Ham and Simone Rocha. The initiative supports 49 shows out of the 95 at LFW, equating to 52 per cent of the LFW schedule.

The Topshop boss also promised to help more young British designers develop their clothes designs and manufacturing skills, with an emphasis on actually producing more goods in Britain rather than overseas.

"We are ourselves manufacturing more goods in the UK these days, and if we can help get more capacity here, I believe those retailers will tell you there is now the opportunity to be competitive and produce in the United Kingdom," said Green.

Previous NEWGEN winners include Alexander McQueen, Antonio Berardi, Clements Ribeiro, Christopher Kane, Marios Schwab, Boudicca, Sophia Kokosalaki, Jonathan Saunders and Gareth Pugh.

Image: Simone Rocha AW12