The British Fashion Council (BFC) is a not-for-profit organisation that aims to further the interests of the British fashion industry and its designer businesses by harnessing and sharing collective knowledge, experience and resources of the sector. Formed in 1983, the BFC is funded by industry patrons, commercial sponsors, and the government including the Mayor of London and the ERDF. It leads the industry through creative influence and is strategically repositioning British fashion in the global fashion economy. The BFC showcases the best of British fashion design to an international audience. London Fashion Week is a gender neutral event showcasing the latest collections every January, February, June and September. Each season, LONDON show ROOMS takes emerging designers to Paris giving them the opportunity to promote themselves overseas. The BFC also organises The Fashion Awards, the UK’s annual celebration of excellence within London and the global industry. The BFC helps designers at various stages of their businesses through its support initiatives. These include the BFC Colleges Council and its menswear and womenswear talent identification schemes: NEWGEN, and the BFC/GQ Designer Menswear Fund. The BFC also runs and owns charities including the BFC/Vogue Designer Fashion Fund, BFC Foundation.