, Michael van der Ham, , , Sister by Sibling, and Sophia Webster were among those announced today as winners of the BFC NEWGEN sponsorship, supported by for spring/summer 2013 – the full list appears below.

BFC chief executive Caroline Rush welcomed the winning designers and fashion editors to Somerset House to hear the announcement. “We are delighted to support this exceptionally talented group of designers and would like to thank Topshop for their support as a sponsor that is now synonymous with NEWGEN,” she said. “The calibre of design and talent in the UK fashion industry is outstanding and continues to grow from strength to strength.”

"It's not easy for you guys," said Topshop MD Mary Homer. "There were 1500 designers who were reviewed and carefully whittled down to the selection that we have here today."

won presentation sponsorship for the fourth time. He had spent last night celebrating at the Cross Keys pub in Covent Garden after he showed his menswear collection on the catwalk as part of London Collections: Men. "Now I have to put my womenswear hat on and try to be as enthusiastic and creative, and less tired," he said.

Winning sponsorship to show in the exhibition for the first time was Kent-born shoe designer Sophia Webster, whose playful candy-coloured footwear confections are sure to be worn by many a front row show-goer in record time. “I just want to make people smile with my shoes,” she said. “It’s amazing to win such a prestigious honour, especially in only my first season.” We predict big things for the Cordwainers-trained shoemaker.

Other designers appearing for the first time on the NEWGEN roll call are Portuguese designer dup Marques Almeida and Lim Cooper.

The scheme, which showcases the best emerging British-based fashion talent, is in its tenth year, and previous recipients of sponsorship include , , , , , , , and many more.

NEWGEN recipients for spring/summer 2013 are:

Catwalk sponsorship: , Simone Rocha and J.W. Anderson

Presentation sponsorship: Christopher Raeburn, J.JS Lee, Lucas Nascimento, Marques Almeida, Nasir Mazhar and Sister by Sibling

Exhibition sponsorship: Palmer//Harding, Huishan, Lim Cooper and Sophia Webster