Graduate Fashion Foundation at the Upstart Festival, V&A Museum
Over the weekend, Graduate Fashion Foundation returned to the V&A Museum Upstart Creative Careers Festival 2025, amongst exhibitors including adobe, Manolo Blahnik and Kurt Geiger Foundation.
The day is dedicated to inspiring the next generation of creatives through workshops, panels and exhibitions, all set in across the iconic gallery spaces in South Kensington. A free event for those between 16-25, we met with young people from across education, including current and prospective students, designers, journalists and career switchers.
We led a series of activities, including a winner exhibition featuring talent from Graduate Fashion Week 2025, an industry panel featuring Bemi Shaw, VIP Stylist & Freelance Editor at Guardian, and Rahemur Rahman, Designer & Senior Lecturer at Central Saint Martins.
The winner exhibition featured Alicia Bambury, @a.r.bambury, Jasmine Kelly, @jasminetheakellyfashion Emma Gillie,@emmagillie and Alicia Glen, @a.g.fits, all award winners at our showcase. The alumni presented their collections on models in the Fashion Galleries, and through a presentation. Guests had the chance to meet with the designers, hear more about their work and portfolios and discover their creative journeys.
Our ‘Breaking Into The Fashion Industry’ panel, hosted by Nicola Hitchens, Managing Director at Graduate Fashion Foundation, explored first steps post graduation, with special guests and ambassadors, Bemi Shaw @bemishaw, VIP Stylist & Freelance Editor at Guardian and Rahemur Rahman @rahemurrahman, Designer & Senior Lecturer at Central Saint Martins.
From not taking no for an answer, to building up proof of concept, to applying to university and building a portfolio, the industry experts gave advice readily to an audience of aspiring designers, journalists and stylists.
For those unsure of the next steps, we celebrated our members and the opportunities within education to those looking to study, through the Graduate Fashion Foundation stand.
The Upstart Festival is a brilliant opportunity for young people to explore pathways into the creative industries through live talks, workshops, and networking.
We’re proud to continue inspiring and empowering the next generation of fashion talent in partnership with V&A museum.