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Whimsical shoe designer Sophia Webster is this year's winner of the British Fashion Council/Vogue Designer Fashion Fund. Not only does she get 12 months of mentoring, she's taking home £200,000 — about $285,000 — to invest in her business.
That grant might be perfect timing for the Sophia Webster brand, since Webster is branching out with a full handbag line. The new aquatic-themed bags are available now on Sophia Webster's e-commerce shop. She's also opening her first standalone store in London in April.
Webster has Victoria Beckham to thank for the award: Beckham was on the judging panel along with heavy hitters like Samantha Cameron, wife of British Prime Minister David Cameron, and execs from Topshop, Farfetch, and Burberry.
The competition included shortlist nominees Emilia Wickstead, Osman, Mother of Pearl, and Prism.
JUST ANNOUNCED! @SOPHIAWEBSTER has won the 2016 #DesignerFashionFund @BritishVogue
— BFC (@BFC) March 22, 2016