The British Fashion Council’s talent launch pad NEWGEN have announced eight names set to receive a big leg-up with sponsorship during London Fashion Week’s SS15 season. 

Ryan Lo, Danielle Romeril, and NEWGEN first-timers Ashley Williams and Faustine Steinmetz will receive funding for their September presentations, with Claire Barrow earning an exhibition spot. The quintet join Marques’Almeida, Lucas Nascimento and 1205, all making their return to NEWGEN next season with sponsored runway shows.

Esteemed fashion critic Sarah Mower, who chairs the NEWGEN selection committee, described the scheme as a "foundation stone of British fashion today", adding that "apart from being the scheme which selects and supports the best young fashion entrepreneurs, NEWGEN is a listening-post for anyone who wants to tune into the future of fashion."

Alongside funding from Topshop, the designers will be allocated dedicated showroom space in order to introduce them to potential buyers. The platform has previously seen now household names like Alexander McQueen, Christopher Kane and J.W. Anderson rise through the ranks with its support, ID-ing London as a hotbed for new design talent.

London Fashion Week’s SS15 season will take place during 12 - 16 September.