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Graduate Fashion Week launches Protégé Project

By Danielle Wightman-Stone

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Fashion

Graduate Fashion Week, which takes place annually in London, is extending its graduate support with the launch of a new mentoring programme across retail, design, manufacturing, business management, PR, media, marketing, legal and recruitment.

The ‘Protégé Project’ will provide continual support for more than 20 graduates from the Graduate Fashion Week event, teaming up each graduate with a long-term highly skilled industry mentor to assist them through the transition from study to employment.

Graduates will have access to their mentor for two years starting from November 2017 and will meet in person for in-depth mentoring sessions seasonally, approximately every four months, where they will receive advice and career support on making their next career steps.

Martyn Roberts, creative director of Graduate Fashion Week said: “Work of the Graduate Fashion Foundation doesn’t stop at GFW in June. The British Fashion industry wants to give back, and the Graduate Fashion Protégé Project enables people to give knowledge and industry experience to the next generation of talent.

“It’s so important for our graduates, in what can be a major change in their life that they are offered support so they can go on to achieve successful careers and by doing so help boost the fashion industry and our economy.“

GFW launches mentoring programme

The scheme has already received a number of volunteer mentors including Gemma Metheringham, creative director of Next’s Label/Mix, Jigsaw chief executive Peter Ruis, Marks and Spencer head of product PR Tania Littlehales, Debenhams head of design womenswear Leandro O’Sullivan, Asos head of PR Natalia Seranses-James, Karen Millen head of design Ainsley Walker, Denza managing director Emma Davidson, designer Holly Fulton and Peatland Brands creative talent and networks director Katie Greenyer.

In addition, designers Henry Holland and Oliver Spencer have signed up as scholarship mentors.

“I am really happy to support the Graduate Fashion Week mentoring initiative, and through this help support talented graduates get a start in the industry,” added Metheringham, who is also the chair of The Protégé Project.

Graduate Fashion Week will pair each winning graduate who has expressed interest in the mentoring programme with a selected mentee, based on their application form and pre-screening.

Graduate Fashion Week is the largest platform worldwide for BA fashion talent, highlighting upcoming stars in design, creative direction, marketing, communication, photography, illustration and all aspects of the modern business of fashion. A registered charity for 26 years, Graduate Fashion Week will next take place from June 3 to 6, 2018 at the Old Truman Brewery, London.

Images: courtesy of Graduate Fashion Week

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Graduate Fashion Week