ELLE UK has announced that it will launch its annual mentoring scheme in the September issue of 2021, marking its commitment to opening the door to a more inclusive new generation of creative talent. Working with The Social Mobility Commission, ELLE UK identified, and actively recruited students from a combination of medium and cold spots (disadvantaged areas) from across the country which have been recognised as having the biggest barriers for young people in fulfilling their potential.

Students on the 2021 programme are from Norwich, Blackburn, Solihull and Caerphilly and Inverness. ELLE UK worked to find students in need of support in reaching their full potential and actively recruited a group of students from non-fee-paying schools. ELLE UK chose young students aged 17 – 22 years old who would work alongside an ELLE UK buddy via Zoom to get an understanding of the process, whilst contributing ideas across everything from the creative direction of shoots, fashion styling, drafting headlines and the cover shoot.

As part of this campaign, students will also have access to a large diverse group of well-known mentors, from boxer Ramla Ali, to activist Munroe Bergdorf, supermodel Leomie Anderson and screenwriter and director, Emerald Fennell. All who will give students personal insights into different creative industries, lessons the mentors have learned and how they succeed in their respective fields.