Edward Enninful

This year, Vogue’s Forces of Fashion event will be a virtual affair, held on July 7 and 8. Titled “Fashion Goes Forward,” the event will feature many notable speakers and panel discussions that you won’t want to miss. (So make sure to book those tickets early!)
Over the course of two days, a number of the fashion industry’s leading designers and icons will sit down for thought-provoking conversations. Highlights include a special panel discussion with Vogue’s Anna Wintour, British Vogue’s Edward Enninful, Vogue China’s Margaret Zhang, and Vogue Runway’s Luke Leitch, who will all offer an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at what goes into making Vogue’s global titles.
Award-winning musician Billie Eilish and Gucci visionary creative director Alessandro Michele will also be in conversation with Vogue’s Chioma Nnadi to discuss how they’ve shaped their respective industries. Designers such as Marc Jacobs, Balenciaga’s Demna Gvasalia, Maison Margiela’s John Galliano, and Chloé’s Gabriela Hearst will all speak as well. Topics in the panels will range from what it takes to build a brand with impeccable authenticity to what goes into making it as a top fashion stylist.
All these panels will be done in English and available to watch live or on demand after the event until July 29. So what are you waiting for? Tickets, which come in several tiers, are available on the Forces of Fashion website now. (The all-access tickets are already sold out, so act fast.) Click here for the full lineup.
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Originally published on Vogue.com

Tania Fares. Photo: Courtesy of British Fashion Council
The British Fashion Council Foundation (BFC) has appointed two new co-chairs to help meet their fundraising target to support British creative talent. One of them is Lebanese philanthropist and co-founder of Fashion Trust Arabia (FTA), Tania Fares. Alongside Narmina Marandi, Fares is tasked to bring together an International Advisory Committee to support the work of the charity and the development of its patronage program. By aiming to raise GBP £2,000,000 a year, the charity is working to support designers who have been drastically hit financially by the pandemic and having to deal with the effects of Brexit.
“I am thrilled to be taking on this new role with the British Fashion Council, alongside my work with Fashion Trust Arabia,” Fares shares with Vogue Arabia. “If the past three years, with FTA, have taught me anything is that now more than ever, young designers need our support and I’m truly excited to also be able to do this with the BFC.”

Founded in 2019, the BFC has continuously proved to be a driving force in supporting British talent. In the first two years, the charity received a total of £3,200,000 worth of donations. The charity supports the growth of the British fashion industry by solely focusing on education, grant-giving, and business mentoring. In 2020 the BFC Foundation allocated a total of £1,500,000 to 67 British designers businesses and scholars, specifically to aid them amidst challenging circumstances.
“Over the past year and half, we have seen the industry pull together to support one another in a very difficult period,” adds Fares. “We noticed that when the industry works together, there is a much stronger opportunity for change. With that same mindset, the BFC are bringing together highly connected individuals from different parts of the world to support British Creative Talent and build a network that not only contributes financially to the charity, but also unlocks opportunities for the talents in various markets.”
“I hope and believe, that when the BFC announces the recipients of its award, by the end of May, there will be even more support, especially once everyone sees how talented the designers are,” she concludes.
Fares and Marandi are working with other Advisory Committee members, including Aisle Trudel, Dylan Jones, Edward Enninful, Elizabeth Saltzman, Imran Amed, Ingie Chalhoub, Lauren Santo Domingo, Jefferson Hack, and Yana Peel, to secure 40 founder patrons. Thirty-one out of the 40 have already been confirmed. These include Matchesfashion co-founder Ruth Chapman, Daphne Guinness, Cara Delevingne Foundation, Mona Operandi Chief Brand Officer Lauren Santo Domingo, Dubai-based retail and entrepreneur Ingie Chalhoub, Chanel’s global head of arts and culture Yana Peel, and more.
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