Proving Orders Placed for the Global Talent Visa: What Fashion Applicants Need to Know
For many talented creatives in the world of fashion, the Global Talent Visa offers a opportunity: the chance to live and work in the UK while growing your brand on an international stage. But for applicants hoping to secure endorsement through the British Fashion Council (BFC), the path comes with a set of often misunderstood requirements.
Among the criteria available to fashion applicants, one of the criteria is the requirement to demonstrate one or more orders placed by UK or international luxury retailers and boutiques.
Let’s explore what this really means and how it can make or break an application.
What the BFC Requires
The British Fashion Council allows applicants to select from different criteria to demonstrate their talent. One of those options is:
“Evidence of one or more orders placed by UK or international luxury retailers and boutiques in the last five years’.
This proof must take a concrete form. And here is the catch:
Only purchase orders between the applicant and the buyer will be accepted as evidence.
If you choose to rely on this criterion, the expectations are strict and the required proof must be concrete in the form of purchase order, meaning:
- No screenshots.
- No internal emails.
- No statements from company directors.
- Not even glowing features in glossy magazines.
Unless the applicant themselves is the party directly named on the purchase order, it will not meet the standard.
Designing for a Brand? Unfortunately, That Is Not Enough
It is a familiar story in the industry. Many gifted designers work behind the scenes at renowned fashion houses, producing work that ends up in top retailers around the world. But when it comes to proving individual impact and commercial success, the BFC is clear:
“Working as a designer at a brand would not be supported, as proof of sales must be for their individual work only.”
In short, the BFC does not recognise sales of work created within a brand. Even if you were the creative force behind a bestselling collection, if the purchase order was issued to the fashion house or brand, not you, it would not meet the requirement.
If You Are Not There Yet
If you Are not yet in a position to meet this specific requirement, remember: it is only one of several available criteria under the Global Talent route. Other focus on media recognition, fashion awards, proof of catwalks or exhibitions.
Contact us if you are planning to apply or even just exploring your eligibility. Our team has supported numerous successful Global Talent applications in fashion industry. We are here to help you every step of the way!
