GFF LAUNCH THE PROTÉGÉ PROJECT 2018/2019 — Graduate Fashion Foundation

GRADUATE FASHION FOUNDATION ANNOUNCES SECOND YEAR OF THE PROTÉGÉ PROJECT

Graduate Fashion Foundation is eager to announce the continuation of the successful Graduate Fashion Protégé Project for 2018/2019. A scheme especially created to provide ongoing support for 25+ award winning graduates of the Graduate Fashion Week event, which showcases each June. The mentoring programme is aimed to provide support as they enter into the fashion industry, by pairing them with a long-term experienced industry mentor.

The mentoring panel for The Graduate Fashion Protégé Project, consists of volunteer executive professionals from the fashion industry, within areas such as retail, design, manufacturing, business management, PR, media, marketing, legal and recruitment. The mentors will provide the graduates with advice, guidance and career support.

Graduates starting out in the industry will have a relationship with their mentor for two years from November 2018 and will meet in person for in-depth mentoring sessions seasonally, approximately every four months. Graduate Fashion Foundation has paired each winning graduate who has expressed interest in the mentoring programme with a selected mentee, based on their application form and pre-screening.

Mentoring and Chair of The Graduate Fashion Protégé Project, Gemma Metheringham, Creative Director of LABEL/MIX at Next said: “I am thrilled to be working with Graduate Fashion Foundation for the second year in a row to support the mentoring initiative, and through this helping to support talented graduates make a start in the industry.”

Graduate Fashion Foundation is the charity behind Graduate Fashion Week, the world’s largest leading platform for new BA fashion talent, highlighting the newest upcoming stars in design, creative direction, marketing, communication, photography, illustration and all aspects of the modern fashion industry.

A registered charity, which for the past 27 years has been a crucial programme for launching the careers of many UK and International graduates. As an annual event, under one roof GFF, has been supporting universities to showcase their graduates’ work and promote their abilities to established recruiters and industry professionals.

Following Graduate Fashion Week in June 18, many graduates will have moved on to their future career straight after graduation, often being snapped up by top employers. Being a young graduate can be very challenging and daunting but also very exciting which requires the ability to adapt to new working environments and different demands.

The transition from study to employment is a major stage for graduates and having a mentor means they have a huge opportunity for progression into the industry or as they launch their own companies.

Graduate Fashion Foundation strongly believes that with the mentoring programme and with the help of dedicated mentors we can improve the skill of talented graduates, helping them towards achieving successful careers and boosting employability.

What does the mentors help with?

· Guide the graduate on their next career steps

· Support the graduate with the move towards employment

· Support the graduate to identify goals and targets to work towards and achieve aspirations

· Advice on best work practices and professional approach

· Help sharpen graduate’s CV, portfolio and interview techniques

· Offer them support and motivation

· Advice on overcoming obstacles and being in professional environment

· Sharing personal experiences

· Signpost to other support resources, connect with their network

Martyn Roberts, Creative Director of Graduate Fashion Week comments: “Here at Graduate Fashion Foundation we solemnly believe in supporting the next generation of talent and that is just what the Graduate Fashion Protégé Project does. It allows industry experts to give advice and experience to Graduates and stimulate their personal and professional growth.”

Full List of Mentors:

1. Gemma Metheringham: Label/Mix, Next Creative Director

2. Ann Hardiman: Oliver Bonas, Head of Design

3. Anna Clarke: Sainsbury’s Supermarket Ltd, Head of Design TU Clothing

4. Caren Downie: The Fashion Squat Ltd, Director

5. Chimere Cisse: Global Communications & Media Strategist

6. Emma Davidson: Denza, Managing Director

7. Grant Morris: Elite Associates, CEO

8. Helen Low: Debenhams, Senior Design Director

9. Iain Ewing: John Lewis, Head of Design WW and Accessories

10. Jan Miller: Jan Miller, Director

11. Katie Greenyer: Pentland Brands, Creative Talent and Network Director