The fashion lovers here at Talent Management were excited to learn today that eBay have announced an exciting new partnership with the British Fashion Council (BFC) in a multi-season sponsorship deal of the Fashion Forward initiative.

The fashion arm of the UK’s biggest online marketplace will help to support emerging British design talent through the programme, starting at London Fashion Week S/S’13 this September.

Caroline Rush, chief executive of the BFC said of the new partnership: “Fashion Forward is one of the British Fashion Council’s talent support initiatives; designed to help emerging British designers show and develop their businesses here in London. In its sixth year it has grown to encompass both womenswear and menswear designers and now supports seven designers each year; making this the perfect time to announce eBay as its new sponsor. eBay’s sales statistics are overwhelming and we hope they will help to bring opportunities to the designers they support.”

Melanie Smallwood, Head of eBay Fashion Brands, added: “eBay is more than just an auction house, it’s a shopping destination like no other. You’ll find high street brands selling direct alongside smaller boutiques and international businesses as well as consumer sellers. eBay Fashion unites style seekers and enables you to shop anytime and anywhere. Partnering with the British Fashion Council provides an opportunity to show our support to emerging British fashion talent, helping them to develop the long-term success of their businesses.”

This year’s Fashion Forward designers include six-time NEWGEN sponsorship winner Mary Katrantzou, pattern and colour guru Louise Gray, Henry Holland and James Long (menswear), known for his signature knits and embroidered pieces. Melanie Smallwood from eBay will sit on the panel that decides the next round of designers to be supported within the programme; these will be announced in January 2013.

S/S ’13 will mark the start of the partnership, with eBay Fashion planning a series of activities. This will include, eBay supporting ‘Born to Shop’; the biggest ever online fashion auction which forms a part of the Save the Children’s No Child Born to Die Campaign. Designers, celebrities and UK fashion media will donate up to 200 desirable items for the auction, which takes place over London Fashion Week and aims to raise £50,000 for the charity.