Designer Priya Ahluwalia wins 2021 BFC/GQ Designer Menswear Fund

Designer Priya Ahluwalia, who just launched her collaboration with Mulberry, has won the 2021 BFC/GQ Designer Menswear Fund. As per Fashion Network, Ahluwalia will now receive a 12-month bespoke high-level business mentoring program, pro-bono legal services and a £150,000 cash prize. Her perception designs and business acumen helped her win this award, said Dylan Jones, Editor, British GQ and Chairman-Menswear, British Fashion Council.

This year’s shortlist also included Bethany Williams, Bianca Saunders, Feng Chen Wang, Nicholas Daley and Stefan Cooke. They all participated in a mentoring programme where both industry experts and judging committee members provided guidance on topics including, strategic planning, branding, leadership, commercial retail, e-tail and wholesale and digital innovation.

Ahluwalia’s new collaboration with Mulbuerry saw her reimagining the Portobello Tote and an assortment of scarves in her signature vibrant aesthetic. The limited-edition capsule is made at its carbon-neutral Somerset Factories, using repurposed fabrics and leathers and the bags are created in limited quantities. The collection consists of four oversized Portobello Totes, five standard ones and three mini versions, the latter being a new size created especially for the collaboration. The bags are complemented by four 100 per cent organic silk scarf designs, created in a 70x70 size so they can be worn as a bandana or headscarf.