The British Fashion Council (BFC) announced the shortlist for the inaugural BFC / Vogue Designer Fashion Fund.
The shortlisted designers are Angel Jackson, Christopher Kane, Clements Ribeiro, E.Tautz, Erdem, Marios Schwab, Nicholas Kirkwood and Richard Nicoll.
The Fund was launched by BFC Chairman Harold Tillman in September 2008 as a legacy project for the BFC's 25th anniversary celebrations.
The Fund will provide one British based designer with £200,000 and high level mentoring support - additional awards of mentoring and business support may be allocated to finalists at the judging panel's discretion.
The aim of The Fund is to assist talented British designers with the potential for commercial growth to start making the transition from a developing creative business to a global fashion brand.
In order to be eligible for this scheme, designers must have an established business.
They must also be UK based, as well as having UK and international stockists and support from key media both UK and internationally.
The winner will demonstrate a clear vision for their business and how The Fund will contribute to their growth with a focus on creating an international brand.