Meet the man keeping British fashion in the spotlight

Words: Sophia Charalambous

Championing British fashion on the world stage is the primary objective of the British Fashion Council (BFC). Not-for-profit and focused on responsible growth, it is our leading body amplifying fashion voices. The BFC aims to develop a “dynamic, inclusive and unified community that advocates for creativity [and] innovation and collectively supports the industry to grow and talent to gain access”.

David Pemsel, the chair since 2022, was appointed by former BFC chief executive Caroline Rush. He previously co-founded ScienceMagic.Inc and ScienceMagic.Studios, connecting brands and talent to their communities, and believes his experience outside the fashion realm is valuable in driving growth. David says: “My career spans media, advertising and business transformation beyond the fashion sector. “I’ve seen the power of the creative industries and their influence on culture to drive economic growth and connect communities.

“Fashion is uniquely positioned at the intersection of art, business and social discourse, and our responsibility as an industry is to harness fashion’s influence constructively, to build platforms that elevate voices and to invest in its long-term health and relevance.” But what about giving back? The most recent Fashion Awards raised a milestone £1 million for the BFC Foundation, and David says these funds are critical to the work they do.

“They go directly towards supporting the pipeline of creative talent across the UK, from scholarships and early-career development to growth funding for designers. “This is how we ensure that British fashion remains internationally competitive, culturally influential and accessible.”

The BFC Foundation was formed in 2019 as a charity focusing on education, grant-giving and business mentoring. In the coming years there is a real impetus on increasing the diversity of the talent pool and supporting businesses that are leading the way in inspiring positive change, environmentally and within communities. One way this is done is through initiatives such as the London Fashion Showcasing Fund, which provides a transparent application process.

David adds: “The BFC’s role is to be a catalyst and bring together community, industry leaders, educators, government and global partners to build shared frameworks and opportunities. “Through our programmes and initiatives, we are supporting talent with skills, networks and funding to allow them to thrive. “We aim to strengthen fashion’s cultural relevance and to ensure its contribution to the economy and society is meaningful, lasting and recognised by the government – our ambition is to drive commercial and cultural impact.”

London Fashion Week is one of the main ways this is achieved. The hotly anticipated showcase takes place at scheduled times throughout the year, including this month. During the week, the BFC helps with a number of events as a way to give back, including charity pop-ups such as the recent Smart Works x Covent Garden, where 100 per cent of the discounted designer fashion went to Smart Works to help unemployed women transform their lives through clothes and coaching.

“London Fashion Week is a celebration of creative courage,” explains David. “It stands apart because it embodies a uniquely bold British spirit. London has always been a home for boundary-pushing ideas and emerging voices, which means our schedule showcases not only established talent but the next generation of innovators redefining fashion.” It is important for the fashion industry to identify what changes need to be made in order to pursue a more philanthropic future. How can it make sure this vital development happens?

“The real shift is in recognising that progress only happens collectively,” says David. “Fashion is a complex ecosystem, from designers and manufacturers to retailers and investors, and everyone has a role to play. “Giving back isn’t just about funding, it’s about sharing expertise, mentoring talent, collaborating on innovation and lobbying and introducing sustainable infrastructure.”

The British fashion scene is and continues to be one of the most coveted around the world, and a move towards more philanthropic pursuits and using fashion as a platform to bring about change does seem to be important to future generations who are coming through in the industry. “I’m continually inspired by the ambition and perspective of young people,” says David. “They are the future and when listening to the designers, it is clear that they care as deeply about purpose as they do about craft.

“They are committed to creative excellence while pushing boundaries around sustainability, diversity and innovation. “This generation sees fashion as a platform for cultural and social dialogue, and that blend of talent, conscience and entrepreneurial spirit gives me real confidence in what’s ahead.”