News has descended from the high priests and priestesses of London fashion, aka the British Fashion Council, that from this day forth, they will be expanding their education programme with the pledge that over the next ten years they’ll raise £10 million to invest in London’s emerging fashion talent. Having all subsisted on monetary amounts best deemed “insignificant” during our respective degrees at Ten Towers, we say – here, here. Education is important and all that. As Caroline Rush says, “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.”
So how will it all work? Well, with a three-way of programs – the Fashion Apprenticeship Standard, the National Fashion & Business Saturday Club and the Exceptional Talent Scholarship. The first, Fashion Apprenticeship Standard, will develop fashion studio apprenticeships and subsequent qualifications, creating a channel of new talent for employees, whilst the Nation Fashion & Business Saturday Club is aimed at the young uns’ (14-16 year olds), giving them a chance to study fashion at their local college or university for free, going to exhibitions and meeting professional fash sorts. Finally, the Exceptional Talent Scholarship, which once offered only to MA students, will now help the brightest stars on BA degrees. Now, BFC – any money left over for us? Like, back payments? No? Okay.
Photograph by Jason Lloyd-Evans, backstage at Mary Katrantzou AW16
www.britishfashioncouncil.co.uk
