Here’s the Winner of the 2026 BFC/GQ Designer Fashion Fund

The British Fashion Council announces LABRUM as the winner of the BFC/GQ Designer Fashion Fund 2026. This award is a part of the BFC Foundation and is allocated to British designer businesses to support their development.

“The BFC/GQ Designer Fashion Fund exists to back exceptional British design talent and help build resilient, future-facing businesses,” said Laura Weir, Chief Executive of British Fashion Council.

The winner receives a £100,000 grant prize, a year-long mentorship, pro-bono legal services from law firm Sheridans and access to a network of specialist advisors tailored to its business needs.

LABRUM was founded by Foday Dumbuya in 2014. The brand is based on Dumbuya’s formative years in Sierra Leone, Cyprus and London. It blends African values with British tailoring to tell untold diaspora stories. They create inspired looks using themes of travel, exploration and pilgrimage. 

“Winning the BFC/GQ Designer Fashion Fund is an incredibly special moment for me and everyone who has been part of the LABRUM journey. As a brand built on the stories of migration, identity and cultural exchange, this recognition is a reminder that those stories matter,” said Foday Dumbuya, Founder and Creative Director of LABRUM.

The winner was chosen by a judging panel that included British Fashion Council Chief Executive Laura Weir, British GQ's Murray Clark and Angelo Mitakos, Harrods' Simon Longland, stylist Rudy Simba Betty, brand consultant Lewis Bloyce, artist and designer Skepta, and Sheridans partner Tahir Basheer. 

“This prize is all about nurturing and rewarding a generation of fashion creatives, and LABRUM is at the forefront of this new guard,” said Murray Clark, Head of Editorial Content of British GQ.

The BFC extends its thanks to British GQ, Sheridans, the legal partner to the BFC/GQ Designer Fashion Fund and Paul Smith whose support made the Fund possible.