I spent an inappropriately long time hanging out with British designers at the Centre For Fashion Enterprise pop-up showroom at the Soho Grand this morning.

With coffee in hand, I caught up with Hannah Marshall, Richard Nicoll, Jean Pierre-Braganza and the team behind Aminaka Wilmont - also, I got up close and personal with Anna’s favorite Meadham Kirchoff dress.

Let’s start with Hannah, the name on everyone’s lips this season. The tightly edited collection - her fifth, actually - includes armored dresses, textured pants and snakeskin harnesses. “I’ve just made this catsuit for Beth Ditto and it’s confirmed she’ll wear it in her new album artwork! Actually, she called me and was like, Can I order eight of them? Or no maybe like twelve?”

Post-Hannah, I literally fell into Jean Pierre-Braganza’s furs. The Canadian/Brit designer’s been showing in Milan for the past couple seasons and for Fall 09 he went with a futuristic Native American battle theme.

“It’s the first time I’ve done furs,” he said. “Saga sponsored me and the furs were really important to my design vision. I don’t think I actually thought they’d really sell so well but they’re doing amazing with buyers.”

“Is that often the case?” I asked.

“Yes!” he laughed. “Honestly I’m always surprised by what sells best. It’s kind of fascinating.”

That trend continued throughout the morning. Marcus Wilmont of Aminaka Wilmont said the exact same thing.

The British Fashion Council just announced this season’s recipients of their New Gen award.

Topshop, the sponsor behind the award, will back twenty-four up and coming designers with space in the London Fashion Week tents throughout the week. The tents stand on the grounds of the Natural History Museum next to the main runway venue and get serious foot traffic from editors and buyers killing time in between shows.

Eight of the winning designers, including Henry Holland, Danielle Scutt, Louise Goldin, Meadham Kirchhoff and Peter Pilotto, will also get sponsorship for their runway shows. Which means, most importantly, a free venue. Last season’s Topshop space (an underground garage), was home to Christopher Kane, Marios Schwab, delicious food and an atmosphere more suited to partying than working.

Which we’re sure that bunch’ll be fine with.

The lucky British few whose Fall collections will be financially supported are out:

Louise Goldin, Danielle Scutt, Meadham Kirchhoff, House of Holland and Peter Pilotto, with Nasir Mazhar, maker of major headgear, winning events sponsorship.

The recognition (and £5,000 - £10,000 for about three seasons straight) is a pretty big deal - previous winners who were previously unknown include Matthew Williamson, Christopher Kane, Alexander McQueen, Giles Deacon, Sophia Kokosalaki, and Marios Schwab.

And those receiving exhibition sponsorship at the Natural History Museum in South Kensington this September include David David, Felder Felder, Hannah Marshall, Nicolas Kirkwood - and Poltock and Walsh.

We’re especially happy to see Poltock and Walsh on there again, and since Topshop sponsors the NewGen initiative, we’re just going to keep on hoping that their Topshop rumor is just a few months from totally reality…