Getting In OnThe Fashion Game! Young Versace Muse, Christopher Kane Gets Backing From British Fashion Council To Expand His Designer Fashion Label

London Fashion Week designer Christopher Kane has been awarded £200,000 in prize money to further his fledgling fashion label by the British Fashion Council and Vogue Designer Fashion Fund.

The young Scottish designer, who is one of Britain’s most visionary talents, will also benefit from mentors across the industry to assist in the development of his business.

In pictures: Christopher Kane spring/summer 2011

Kane was among a shortlist of London Fashion Week designers including footwear designers Nicholas Kirkwood and Charlotte Olympia, menswear label E.Tautz, and womenswear designer Jonathan Saunders, Osman Yousefzada, Peter Pilotto and Richard Nicoll.

Kane’s vibrant spring/summer 2011 collection – a melange of Fair Isle neon jumpers and laser-cut leather dresses inspired by Princess Margaret – was well received by the fashion world.

Erdem wins first British Fashion Council/ Vogue Designer Fashion Fund Award

On being awarded the fund Kane said: “It is such an honour to receive this accolade especially when I have such huge respect for all the nominees. The prize enables us to implement our strategic vision for the Christopher Kane business going forward. We would like to thank everyone involved in making this decision and all those who have helped establish our business.”

Last year, the award went to Erdem Moralioglu, a designer favoured by Michelle Obama, Samantha Cameron and Keira Knightley. The Fund was launched by BFC Chairman Harold Tillman in September 2008. Vogue, the headline sponsor, whose March issue is on sale early February will showcase the talents of all eight finalists.

Vogue editor Alexandra Shulman, who chaired the panel, paid tribute to Kane’s talent, saying: “I am delighted that Christopher Kane has won this year’s award. His last collection was one of his best with a strong point of view but also clothes that all of us want to wear. He represents the best of British fashion talent – original, determined and influential.”

The Christopher Kane label was set up in 2006 and is jointly owned by Christopher and his sister and collaborator Tammy. Kane trained at Central Saint Martins and won ‘New Designer of the Year’ at the British Fashion Awards in 2007. He also designs for the Versace line Versus. His label is stocked in respected stores around the world including Barneys in New York, Browns and Liberty in London, Maria Luisa and Printemps in Paris, and Corso Como in Milan.