Fashion Forward has been one of the leading supporters of rising British design stars for the past six years and as of the next London Fashion Week in September, online giant eBay will be a sponsor. Fashion Forward has helped showcase newcomer designs to the media and trade for two consecutive seasons. This year, Mary Katranzou, Henry Holland, James Long and Louise Gray were the four designers to been given the backing of Fashion Forward, which is funded by the Mayor of London. This year their collections have been shown in Paris, New York and Los Angeles as part of London Showrooms, the itinerant trade fair for the British Fashion Council’s young protégés. 

Melanie Smallwood, the UK director of eBay Fashion, will soon be joining the Fashion Forward jury. “Partnering with the British Fashion Council provides an opportunity to show our support to emerging British fashion talent, helping them to develop the long-term success of their businesses”, said Smallwood. The recipients of Fashion Forward’s support for 2013 will be announced in January.