The British Fashion Council today announced that eBay will take on sponsorship of Fashion Forward designers at London Fashion Week and beyond from September.

The fashion arm of the website with 102 million users worldwide will support emerging British design talent and develop its business as part of a multi-season deal. The Fashion Forward initiative was established six years ago and in the past has supported Britain’s greatest talents, among them and

This year’s Fashion Forward designers include Mary Katrantzou, Louise Gray, and who will create spring summer 2013 collections exclusively for eBay, staking the ecommerce company’s claim on the luxury fashion market, alongside its high-street and auction-house mainstay.

‘eBay is more than just an auction house’, said Melanie Smallwood, head of eBay fashion, ‘partnering with the British fashion Council provides an opportunity to show our support to emerging British fashion talent, helping them to develop the long-term success of their business’.

eBay also announced that it will host its first charity fashion auction Bid Boutique with Save the Children on September 13th. The Burberry dress Samantha Cameron wore to the Royal Wedding last year is among the spoils, as well as items from Jimmy Choo and Alexander McQueen.

Find out more about the charity auction Bid Boutique