Chopova Lowena bags 2024 BFC/Vogue Designer Fashion Fund

By

Nigel TAYLOR

Published
May 17, 2024

Chopova Lowena is the winner of the 2024 BFC/Vogue Designer Fashion Fund. The coveted award comes with a cash prize of £150,000 to support business growth alongside bespoke high-level business mentoring and professional services.

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Founded by Emma Chopova and Laura Lowena in 2017, the label “is rooted in British and Bulgarian craftsmanship and vibrantly juxtaposes folklore references and sportswear” with a strong eco ethic. 

To that end, the brand “prioritises sustainability, utilising recycled materials and deadstock textiles to create long lasting modern pieces with a punk twist”. 

The duo’s signature piece, a recycled folkloric textile skirt, “has taken the international street style scene by storm, positioning… Emma and Laura as two of the UK’s most exciting and burgeoning design talents”, said BFC.

BFC CEO Caroline Rush said: “We were incredibly impressed by the duo’s bold and sustainable approach to design and craftsmanship. It’s been a pleasure to watch the brand go from strength to strength, gaining a devoted following and attaining cult status over the last few years. I am excited to see their continued impact and creative vision as Chopova Lowena embarks on this new chapter of success.”

Chioma Nnadi, Head of Editorial Content at British Vogue, added: “Since launching in 2018, this duo has built a real community around their brand and the cult of their signature carabiner skirts is a testament to what they do. When it comes to a creative vision, they've fearlessly marched to the beat of their own drum, challenging conventional fashion system rules—so I'm very excited to see what they do next.”

And the two designers highlighted the “fellow designers we greatly admire” who were on the shortlist, as well as the “past winners who inspire us daily”. They said the award “means the world to us and we are eternally grateful for this opportunity to continue to grow and develop our brand on a higher level. London is at the core of what Chopova Lowena is about and we feel very proud to be part of this amazing creative community. We are forever thankful to our amazing team who work so hard every day to make our dreams possible”.

Previous winners include 16Arlington (2023), Richard Quinn (2022), Bethany Williams (2021), Wales Bonner (2019), Molly Goddard (2018), Mother of Pearl & palmer//harding (2017), Sophia Webster (2016), Mary Katrantzou (2015), Nicholas Kirkwood (2013), Christopher Kane (2011) and Erdem (2010).