LABRUM London, the renowned fashion brand known for its fusion of West African culture and British heritage, has been honored with the prestigious Queen Elizabeth II Award for British Design. The award was presented to LABRUM’s founder and creative director, Foday Dumbuya, by His Majesty King Charles III during a special event at 180 Studios in London. The ceremony also marked a celebration of the British Fashion Council Foundation and its significant contributions to the fashion industry.
The BFC Foundation, through its charity arm, provided £1.2 million in funds to support designer talent and scholars during the 2022/2023 financial year. A major portion of the funds, £1.1 million, was allocated through the BFC’s grant-giving initiatives, including renowned programs such as BFC NEWGEN, BFC/GQ Designer Fashion Fund, BFC/Vogue Designer Fashion Fund, and BFC Fashion Trust. An additional £139,200 was disbursed to designers through brand partnership collaborations facilitated by the BFC Foundation and its talent support initiatives.
The Queen Elizabeth II Award for British Design was established to recognize the fashion industry’s societal and diplomatic influence and to showcase emerging designers who contribute to society through sustainable practices or community engagement. LABRUM London follows in the footsteps of previous award recipients such as Richard Quinn, Bethany Williams, Rosh Mahtani, Priya Ahluwalia, and Saul Nash.
LABRUM London, founded by Foday Dumbuya in 2015, has gained acclaim for its modern interpretation of West African culture. The brand’s philosophy revolves around creating purposeful and innovative pieces that tell the untold stories of the diaspora. LABRUM London artfully combines West African aesthetics with traditional British craftsmanship, resulting in distinctive prints and functional silhouettes.
His Majesty King Charles III has been actively involved in the British fashion industry, having launched London’s first menswear fashion week in 2012. As a strong advocate for sustainable fashion, His Majesty has longstanding connections with the Campaign for Wool and has championed sustainability through initiatives like the Terra Carta.
The BFC Foundation, a registered charity (number: 1185152), is dedicated to supporting the growth and success of the British fashion industry by focusing on education, grant-giving, and business mentoring. Through its influential international Patronage Programme, the charity aims to raise funds to expand its grant-giving programs. This year, the BFC Foundation is proud to support 39 designers and numerous students through financial grants and mentoring.
Caroline Rush CBE, Chief Executive of the British Fashion Council, expressed her delight at LABRUM London receiving the Queen Elizabeth II Award for British Design. She praised the brand’s ability to intertwine West African heritage, London life, and British tailoring in its designs. Rush emphasized the BFC’s commitment to supporting emerging British designers, particularly during challenging economic times when arts funding is diminishing.
The BFC extends its gratitude to CHANEL and Dior Men for their partnership and scholarship programs, which provide essential funding and exclusive access to each luxury brand. Scholars also benefit from personalized guidance and mentoring from professionals within the Chanel and Dior Men teams throughout their scholarship period.
As the British Fashion Council Foundation celebrates its annual impact, the recognition bestowed upon LABRUM London exemplifies the outstanding talent and creative vision present in the British fashion industry. Through initiatives like the Queen Elizabeth II Award for British Design, the BFC Foundation continues to nurture and empower the next generation of fashion leaders.
