Toby Vernon, Fashion Design BA Honours alumnus of the University of Westminster, was recently selected for the British Fashion Council’s (BFC) NewGen cohort for the 2025-26 year.
Next year’s participants for the annual BFC NewGen programme were announced in London on 20 May. Since the NewGen’s inception in 1993, the programme seeks to support emerging designers with financial support, mentorship, training sessions and the opportunity to showcase their work on the London Fashion Week calendar.
Toby Vernon graduated in 2021 and founded The Ouze in the same year - a fine jewellery label that plays on the intimate power of human touch upon jewellery. With an interest in the natural imperfections caused by human hands, Toby became passionate about the relationship between human anatomy and metalware. After studying Fashion Design BA Honours at Westminster, he unknowingly began emboldening his clothing with silver jewellery, brooches, buckles and buttons. Now, The Ouze celebrates Toby’s unconventional background, drawing on heirlooms and antiques as inspiration.
Reflecting on his journey and creative inspiration, Toby Vernon said: “As a designer, I have always been drawn to British heritage and craft. Whilst studying Fashion Design at Westminster, I was naturally drawn to menswear and would often design to dress myself. This leaked into the jewellery when I taught myself during my third year and in lockdown. It then became a vital part of my final collection. Bringing the garments and jewellery together allowed me to get very creative and that time really influenced the work I continue to make today.
“Everyone knows the BFC and as a student you dream of one day being able to follow the likes of Craig Green and Kiko Kostadinov to name a few, through NewGen. I feel incredibly proud to be able to present my ideas at London Fashion Week.”
Robert Leach, Course Leader of the Fashion Design BA Honours course, added: “The Fashion Design BA Honours course at Westminster focuses on supporting its students in finding jobs within the wide range of destinations and disciplines in the industry available to our graduates. This is addressed at the curriculum level with projects that encompass design in much broader terms, whether it be accessories, jewellery or product design. Toby used those coursework opportunities to develop his jewellery ideas, as well as being a very talented designer and pattern cutter.
“The team are delighted Toby has been accepted as part of NewGen and is very proud of our relationship with the scheme, with past finalists including Westminster alumni Claire Barrow, Paolo Carzana, Robyn Lynch, Steven Stokey Daley and Priya Ahluwalia.”
The Fashion courses at Westminster recently held their 2025 Design Shows. Fashion Marketing and Promotion BA Honours graduates exhibited their work in Portland Hall at the University’s Little Titchfield Street site between 11-13 June, while the Fashion Design BA Honours students hosted a runway show in Ambika P3 on 13 June. Each event celebrated the innovative work of emerging fashion talents poised to influence the future of the industry and showcased strategic campaigns, digital storytelling and brand innovation projects.
Toby’s work directly contributes to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 12: Responsible Consumption and Production. Since 2019, the University of Westminster has used the SDGs holistically to frame strategic decisions to help students and colleagues fulfil their potential and contribute to a more sustainable, equitable and healthier society.
Find out more about the University's new Fashion Accessories Design MA course launching in September 2025.
Learn more about Fashion courses at the University of Westminster.
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