British Fashion Council pledges investment in education

The British Fashion CounCil has announced that it is pledging to raise 10 million pounds over the next 10 years to invest in and attract young design talent to study in London. This announcement follows the revamping of the Fashion Awards, which will raise funds for the British Fashion Council Education Foundation.

The investment plan was announced following the British Fashion Council’s annual Graduate Preview Day, a one-day event that allows industry professionals to view the works of fashion college students. In addition to raising funds, the plan also includes a series of education initiatives for the coming year, including a new fashion apprenticeship and a national Saturday Club, as well as the introduction of an ‘Exceptional Talent’ scholarship.

British Fashion Council chief executive, Caroline Rush said: “The UK has undoubtedly the world’s leading reputation when it comes to art schools. The BFC is dedicated to securing future talent and establishing pathways through education and into employment. This includes working with global fashion players and businesses to support scholarships and competitions to support the most talented design students.

“We also recognise that institutionalised education and specific design courses are not for everyone. We are so pleased to announce a new apprenticeship programme that will help young people to learn about all areas of the fashion industry and also the Saturday Clubs which will provide even younger people the opportunity to learn about the fashion industry.”

British Fashion Council announces educational initiatives

The British Fashion Council is set to launch the Fashion Apprenticeship Standard in October this year, alongside the University of the Arts London, who will be the awarding body that creates the qualification. The aim of the apprenticeship is to create further growth in the fashion sector and to offer a career path through other areas in the industry, not just in design.

The apprenticeship will encompass a six-month foundation core which will then lead into twelve months focused on one area of the business, such as production development, sales and logistics or fashion marketing and communications with the aim to make Britain the best place to start, develop and grow creative, innovative businesses. To establish best practice the BFC has set up an Employer Group with representatives from Jasper Conran, Mario Schwab, Mary Katrantzou, Roksanda and Talk PR.

Zoe Olive, chair of the Fashion Apprenticeship Employer Group added: “As employers we feel this is a unique and unparalleled way into the industry which will provide learners with a broad understanding of the industry as it stands today and to equip them for work in a variety of fields.

“This course provides a sound knowledge and experience base from which to jump straight into employment or further education. We are incredibly excited to see the apprenticeship get off the ground and to welcome the first candidates for the programme into our industry.”

Looking to address fashion needs for high-school students, the British Fashion Council has also launched a national initiative, the Fashion and Business Saturday Club with the Sorrell Foundation, which aims at giving young people, aged 14-16, the opportunity to study fashion at their local college or university for free.

The aim of the Saturday Club is to inspire and nurture talent and provide opportunities to go on to further education in the creative industries. The colleges involved will provide expert tuition in a variety of fashion techniques, with a strong emphasis on enterprise skills. As well as attending practical weekly classes, Saturday Club members get to take part in exhibition visits, meet professionals working in the fashion industry, attend masterclasses and have their work exhibited at Somerset House in London.

The Manchester Metropolitan University and the University of Brighton are among the institutions that have been involved in the pilot initiative. Manchester has a sportswear theme including masterclasses with Nabil Nayal, a previous recipient of a British Fashion Council Education Foundation Scholarship, while Brighton offers students the chance to try out fashion illustration, print design, and machine sewing. The programme also included a masterclass in partnership with the Royal Opera House at their Costume Centre.

Lady Frances Sorrell said: “We are delighted about working with the BFC, a lot of young people are interested in clothing, it’s where they start their interest in creativity. The idea of the Saturday Club is to show 14-16-year-olds pathways into different sides of the creative industries so they can discover new opportunities.”

In addition, the ‘Exceptional Talent’ scholarship has been introduced, which is an emergency fund for talent, identified by their tutors, who are in need of financial support.

Graduate Preview Day reveals design competition winners

The British Fashion Council also announced the winners of four design competitions, the Burberry Fashion Design competition, Jigsaw and Pongees Eveningwear competition, Topshop and Topman Graduate Talent competition and The Anne Tyrrell MBE Outstanding Portfolio competition, as part of Graduate Preview Day.

The Edinburgh School of Art’s Rhys McKenna scooped the Burberry design competition, which asked students to explore the idea of collaboration across different sectors of the industry and awarded McKenna with 2,000 pounds, as well as a three-month placement in the company.

Eppuyar Hunt from Manchester Metropolitan University won the Jigsaw eveningwear competition and will work with the high street retailer to produce one of her garments, which will then be sold as part of its autumn/winter 2016 collection.

There was further success for the Edinburgh School of Art, as Jonathan Preston Moore won the Topman Graduate Talent prize, while the Topshop honour went to Hollie France from Northumbria University. They both win paid internships as part of Topshop’s graduate design programme.

The Anne Tyrell MBE Outstanding Portfolio award recognised the work of students from the Royal College of Art.

Image: Courtesy of British Fashion Council. The winners of the Graduate Preview Day: Rhys McKenna, Eppyar Hunt, Jonathan Preston Moore and Fiona Cartmel