The BFC/GQ Designer Menswear Fund supported by JD.COM, INC was awarded to Samuel Ross of A-COLD-WALL*, a £150,000 cash prize and 12 months high-level mentoring to accelerate his business and growth and global reputation. China’s largest retailer JD.com Inc. generously supports the BFC/GQ Menswear Fund as part of a two-year sponsorship deal that was announced in September 2018. The fund is the UK’s biggest menswear prize for emerging talent.
COTTWEILER, Edward Crutchley, Liam Hodges and WALES BONNER were shortlisted for the 2019 prize and participated in a mentoring programme where both industry experts and judging committee members provided guidance on topics including, strategic planning, branding, leadership, commercial retail, e-tail and wholesale and digital innovation.
Dylan Jones OBE, Editor of British GQ and BFC Chair of Menswear commented, “I would like to congratulate Samuel Ross of a A-COLD-WALL*. He demonstrated intelligent design and business acumen during the judging process that propelled him to top of the talent pool and it was a unanimous decision from the judging panel. I look forward to seeing Samuel’s business grow and become the next big international menswear brand.”
Kim Jones, Artistic Director, Dior Men commented, “Congratulations to Sam who I’m sure will become a huge global brand, a British home-grown talent with a global view.”
Caroline Rush CBE, Chief Executive of the British Fashion Council commented, “The judging committee was impressed with the quality of work, thought process and determination of the talented 2019 shortlist. Each designer has a bright future ahead of them. There can only be one winner and Samuel proved to be the strongest candidate with the most comprehensive business strategy and decisive plans on how to use the fund to his best advantage to propel and cement A-COLD-WALL* on the global stage.”