Rakuten becomes a patron of the British Fashion Council, extending fashion footprint in the UK
As the fashion world continues to digitize and adapt to unprecedented challenges, Rakuten is doubling down on its support for the industry. Already the headline sponsor of Rakuten Fashion Week TOKYO, Rakuten has now become a Patron of the British Fashion Council (BFC), an organization which promotes British fashion internationally through fashion weeks, exhibitions and showcasing events.
In its role as a BFC Patron, Rakuten will support the organization in its efforts to deliver significant and impactful programs that benefit the industry and its need for a positive reset. Through its BFC Patronage, Rakuten will also support London Fashion Week – one of the “Big Four” international Fashion Weeks, alongside New York, Milan and Paris. Organized by the BFC, London Fashion Week February 2021 kicked off on February 19, with a packed slate of digital events.
The new partnership represents another important step for Rakuten to further strengthen its branding in the global fashion industry and collaborate with leading fashion brands, designers and events.
Ryo Matsumura, Rakuten Executive Officer and E-Commerce Company Vice President, commented, “I am delighted that Rakuten will partner with the British Fashion Council to encourage innovation, create excitement and empower fashion brands and designers from the U.K. and around the world. Fashion is an important growth category within Rakuten’s e-commerce business. We look forward to working alongside our new partner to support a diverse fashion scene and a successful circular fashion economy through events like London Fashion Week.”
Gemma Juviler, Commercial Director, British Fashion Council, commented, “We are delighted to welcome Rakuten to the British Fashion Council as our newest Patron. The company’s expertise and experience in technology will be invaluable to British fashion brands and we look forward to working with them.”
Rakuten has consistently grown its fashion footprint in recent years. Rakuten acquired ShopStyle in 2017, the leading fashion and lifestyle shopping platform for influencers and consumers, and for 10 years, has been a participant in the European Commission’s first memorandum of understanding to fight counterfeits.
Rakuten partnered with the Japan Fashion Week Organization to become the headline sponsor for TOKYO Fashion Week in August 2019, renaming the event to Rakuten Fashion Week TOKYO and has been working to empower Japanese designers digitally since, despite various social distancing protocols in place due to the global pandemic.
Since launching its “Rakuten Fashion” strategy in 2019 to promote Japan’s fashion scene globally, Rakuten aims to become a facilitator of exchange between cultures, apparel designers, both small and large, to empower the global fashion industry.
By partnering with BFC, Rakuten is poised to bring this same approach to empowerment and cultural exchange to one of the world’s most influential fashion organizations.
