Online marketplace eBay has long been the place to uncover a vintage gem, but now they are doing their bit to support the future of fashion, by partnering with the British Fashion Council’s Fashion Forward Initiative.

eBay announced today (25 July) a multi-season sponsorship deal of Fashion Forward, which helps emerging British designers grow their business and show collections in London - current designers benefitting from the scheme include Mary Katzantrou, Henry Holland and Louise Gray.

Kicking off with the launch of the Spring/Summer 2013 collections in September, the sponsored_longform will involve head of eBay fashion brands Melanie Smallwood sitting on the panel to decide the next crop of sponsored designers, plus hosting Save the Children’s #bidboutique, an online fashion auction running during over London Fashion Week and London Fashion Weekend, featuring donations from leading British designers, and celebrities such as Erin O’Connor and Samantha Cameron.

eBay’s Melanie Smallwood says of the sponsored_longform;

“eBay is more than just an auction house, it’s a shopping destination like no other... 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 businesses.”

Caroline Rush, chief executive of the BFC adds; “eBay’s sales statistics are overwhelming and we hope they will help to bring opportunities to the designers they support.”

Save the Children’s #bidboutique will launch on eBay on 12 September 2012.

Ebay goes Fashion Forward