One of the biggest concerns amongst fashion designers is funding. It’s not easy to be a new designer in any country, and often before one has access to funding you have to prove yourself – without funding, which is a bit of a Catch-22 situation. Once you get to a certain level, though, it’s also very tough to progress because it takes a lot more funding and expertise to build a brand and establish an actual sustainable business. To help address this the British Fashion Council and Vogue have launched the BFC/Vogue Designer Fashion Fund, a legacy project for the BFC’s 25th anniversary celebrations, and it a big funding award, worth £200,000.00!

The Fund is supported by Arcadia Group, Burberry, Clothing at Tesco, Debenhams, Harrods, House of Fraser, HSBC Commercial Bank, Jaeger / Aquascutum, Marks & Spencer, Paul Smith, TONI & GUY, Vogue and Westfield Shopping Towns.

Today the very first funding was awarded to Canadian designer Erdem Moralioglu. Erdem grew up in Montreal with a British mother and Turkish father. He left Canada to do his MA at the Royal College of Art, where graduated in 2003. He then went to New York to work with Diane von Furstenberg and in 2005 he returned to the UK to launch his ready-to-wear label.

Erdem has been not only been awarded £200,000 but also access to director level mentors. This may be his biggest award but not it’s not his first (or his last) – he won the Swarovski British Fashion Council Fashion Enterprise Award in 2007, BFC’s Fashion Forward in 2008, and in 2009, and Elle Magazine awarded Erdem the “Fashion Future Award”.

The aim of The Fund is to assist talented British designers with the potential for commercial growth to start making the transition from a developing creative business to a global fashion brand.

Erdem Moralioglu commented "I am thrilled to be the winner of the BFC Vogue Fashion Fund. It is an honor. The prize will help us to take our business to the next level. It is so integral for us to be showing in London and the support of the BFC and Vogue will allow us to grow our business internationally. It is such exciting time for us."

Erdem is now sold in more than 50 premiere department and specialty stores, such as Barney’s New York, Saks Fifth Avenue, Neiman Marcus, Harvey Nichols, Dover St. Market, Colette, Browns, Ikram, Beams, Theresa, Banner, Luisa via Roma and net-a-porter.com.

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A while back I was at the Design Museum in London and by chance met the very lovely American fashion designer Caycee Black.  Black designs everything from the buttons to the prints herself, and each print comes either from one of her photographs or paintings.

Did growing up in Texas influence your work?
CB – I think growing up in Texas and spending many summers at my grandparents’ farm gave me a love for nature. In my paintings I play with the juxtaposition how nature is found in the New York city environment.

How would you describe your style?
CB – My style is such a mix of vintage and my own pieces. I like playing with juxtaposition; the obvious bores me. If i wear my organza plaid noir painted dress I mix it with my gentleman’s jacket, colored leg, and vintage 80’s snow boots that could be on Napoleon Dynamite! My wardrobe is an accumulation of pieces I love on their own which I’ve collected from my line to my grandmother’s closet. I then take each piece and bring them together where they create their own story

How long did you study ballet for?
CB – I begged my mom to put me in lessons after seeing my first ballet at age 4. My mom was worried I would be bored but I sat on the edge of that velvet seat the whole time. I can still remember how magical it was to me. I decided when I was 14 not to attend Houston School of Performing arts and to continue my love of ballet as a hobby rather than a lifestyle. I still take adult classes every week at Joffrey School of Ballet’s adult program. It is truly my time to not think of anything else and always puts me in a good mood.

You also studied fine art?
CB – I took art classes every summer as a child as that was my other passion. I was quite shy as a child and that became my way to express myself and gave me comfort. I continued art classes through high school, where my senior year I built my art portfolio to be admitted into Parsons. I was attracted to Parsons as a fashion design school because art curriculum you are put through your first year before you are allowed to enter the fashion design program. I like this approach as it was the way I had envisioned myself designing clothes.

Did you go to Parsons in Paris or New York?
CB – I went to parsons New York for my BFA.

What are your favourite fabrics?
CB – Each season I love taking typically menswear fabrications and making them into feminine bodies. There is something great about this juxtaposition. For spring I took a menswear suiting fabric which is a silk/linen blend pinstripe from Italy and created a jumpsuit with surprising cut outs. This I paired with a coral bow tie blouse is my take on a suit for a woman. I like to play with mens looks in my own way. I had a tuxedo look for fall that was a tux blouse tucked into high waisted bubble shorts that have a cumberbun waistband.

Where do you live?
CB – I live in Green Point Brooklyn. I have a great view of Manhattan and the east river from my roof top.

Do you have pet?
Cb – Umm no I’m trying to responsible I consider my line my child as it is soo demanding! I’m kind of a crazy dog lover and will definitely be getting one when I can!

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