The Fashion Minority Alliance has announced its partnership with the UK-based Graduate Fashion Foundation (GFF), a charity that bridges the gap between education and employment. As a part of its broader commitment to fuel BIPOC pipeline initiatives, this latest project is aimed at sustaining the focus on empowering underrepresented and marginalised students by engaging and supporting them in their endeavours to fulfil their creative potential within the exclusive realm of fashion and design.

Launching today (22 June), during the GFF’s ongoing Graduate Fashion Week taking place 20-24 June at Coal Drops Yard Kings Cross, the inaugural project sees Fashion Minority Alliance co-hosting a panel talk to kick off the partnership. Entitled “Big Fish, New Pond…. Navigating The Fashion Industry, Following Education”, the panel will unite industry thought-leaders: Andrew Ibi, designer, educator and founder of FACE, Vanessa Spence, ASOS Design Director; Anita Chhiba, Founder and Creative Director Diet Paratha, and Tejumola Butler Adenuga, Multidisciplinary Artist and Designer. Additionally, the launch programme includes the hosting of inner city youth groups and several schools where students, between the ages of 12 and 17, will be hosted onsite at Graduate Fashion Week to enjoy a day of interactive fashion-immersion to inspire and empower them to pursue and shape a path, for the creative career they want, at a time they are making decisions about next steps. Alongside being part of a peer network each student will have access to the Diversity and Inclusivity Fashion Showcase, meet university tutors, and graduate designers and encounter their work plus attend a runway show and learn about the making of a catwalk show.

In phygital format, elements of the Fashion Futures project will be launched and showcased at Graduate Fashion Week, while an identical digital version will be housed on the respective Fashion Minority Alliance and Graduate Fashion Foundation websites. The one-stop Fashion Futures education and careers hub on the graduatefashionfoundation.com website will bring together a full range of relevant tools, guidance and strategic support focused on ensuring diversity and inclusion. Hosting career advice and pathways to support young people to really understand the breadth of careers available in the fashion and design sectors, plus high education support, funding advice for university, information on lifecycle of a garment and sustainability advice, downloadable activities to do from home and inspire career options and be home to new Industry guest speaks sharing top tips on joining their industry. Additionally Fashion Minority Alliance website will house training resources for educators, school community groups and NEET liaison programmes, downloadable activities, virtual upskilling programmes, CV and interview workshop sessions, mentor matching, and career path videos all specifically designed and coordinated to develop a talent pool of underrepresented and marginalised young people equipped with the skills and knowledge of the industry.