Graduate Fashion Foundation Pairs 27 Emerging Young Talents With Industry Mentors
Graduate Fashion Foundation is pleased to announce the launch of the Mentoring Programme 2026/2027.
The programme aims to provide support to award winning talent from Graduate Fashion Week 2026 as they take their first steps into the fashion industry, by pairing them with a long term highly skilled industry mentor for a full year, starting in October 2026.
Graduate Fashion Foundation is dedicated to creating opportunities for multidisciplinary talent, supporting our talent pipeline within the UK and beyond to lead the fashion industry in new ideas, fresh energy and world class talent. The mentoring programme is a key driver to creating industry ready graduates - taking raw talent and energy, developing the most promising graduates into founders, team members and freelancers of the future.
Industry mentors hailing from companies including Reebok, Manolo Blahnik and the BBC, will spend the next year working closely with the young talent to develop their voice, ideas and confidence as they enter the industry, boosting employability during a challenging market landscape.
“Mentoring is about sharing what you have learned, asking the right questions, and helping the next generation find their own way. With this, I am delighted to be part of the Graduate Fashion Foundation 26/27 Mentoring Programme, and to continue the journey with a creative entrepreneur and GFW award winner.”
Graduate Fashion Foundation will pair each graduate with a selected industry mentor based on their area of expertise, the mentee’s interest and future aspirations, for the most impactful long term mentorship. The Graduate Fashion Foundation mentoring panel is composed of volunteer executive professionals from the fashion industry, within areas such as retail, design, manufacturing, business management, PR, media and marketing, legal and recruitment.
“It’s wonderful to see celebrated industry experts sharing their time, experience and knowledge with the next generation - it’s vital that we continue to support fresh graduates with as much direct support as possible, as they make the transition from student to industry member.”
The industry mentors for 2026/2027 are:
Arooj Aftab, Cultural Commentator
Ben Lee, Head of Womenswear, Menswear, Kids & Baby
Crimson Downing-Martin, Artist, Constructed Textiles Tutor for Goldsmiths College and Head of Sales and Digital for Phoebe English
Vikram Menon, Director Fashionex Limited
Kayleigh Benoit, Founder of BIND London: High Fashion Sportswear Brand, Writer & Speaker
Lara Nixon, Senior knitwear designer at New Look
Eleni Sharp, Head of Product, BBC Research & Development
Emma Felton, Childrenswear Design Manager, NEXT PLC
Sandy Aziz, Freelance Editor and Journalist
Susy Galli, Career Counsellor Specialising in Fashion
Lucy Kebbel, Founder, The WIP
Elodie Bougenault, Chief Commercial Officer, Manolo Blahnik
Jens Laugesen, Creative Director /KONsensX / JENS LAUGESEN DESIGN
Juliette Wells Gray, Apparel Designer, Reebok
Stephany Goncalves, Founder & Researcher, The Invisible Curriculum, Strategic Advisor & Academic Lecturer
Erica Horne, Founder at CAD For Fashion
Chantal Sackey, Stylist
William Spooner, Photographer
The award winning graduates are:
Abbie Jarvis, Winner of The Zhandra Rhodes Printed Textile Award and The Liberty London Competition and Graduate from The University of Lancashire
Amber Hough, Winner of Fashion Illustration Award and Graduate from Northumbria University
Amina Jeng, Winner of The Fashion Moving Image Award and Graduate from Manchester Metropolitan University
Amy Brown, Winner of University of Lancashire Catwalk Award and The Liberty London Competition, Graduate from The University of Lancashire
Anabel Gilgallon, Winner of The Childrenswear Award and Graduate from Northumbria University
Annika Ho, Winner of The Digital Fashion Media Award and Graduate from The University of Leeds,
Catriona Lee, Winner of The Fashion Communication Portfolio Award and Graduate from Manchester Metropolitan University
Charlotte Mansfield, Winner of The Fashion Innovation Award Supported by F&F and Graduate from Manchester Metropolitan University
Ellis Carroll, Winner of The Fashion Photography Award and Graduate from Southampton Solent University
Emily Sutton, Winner of The New Business Award and Graduate from Northumbria University
Eva Camper, Winner of The Knit Portfolio Award and Graduate from Kingston University
Gunta Andrews, Winner of The Inclusive Fashion Award and Graduate from Anglia Ruskin University
Heather Anderson, Winner of The Considered Fashion Award and Graduate from Nottingham Trent University
Isabel Lally, Winner of The Terry Mansfield Publication Award and Graduate From Nottingham Trent University
Jasmine Harrowsmith, Winner of The Fashion Portfolio Award and Graduate from Kingston University
Joseph Barker, Winner of The Gold Catwalk Award and JCA | London Fashion Academy x Winchester School of Art Catwalk Award and Graduate from JCA | London Fashion Academy
Liliana Rochado, Winner of Hilary Alexander Sustainable Trailblazer Award and Graduate from The University of Lancashire
Lola Powell, Winner of Constructed Textiles Award and Graduate from Norwich University of The Arts
Lou Miller, Winner of The Digital Fashion Award and Graduate from Leeds Arts University
Naomi Robinson, Winner of The Zalando x GFF Circularity Masterclass Competition and Graduate from The University of Lancashire
Niamh Frith, Winner of The Fashion Marketing Award and Graduate from The University of Lancashire
Olivia Baddoo, Winner of Project Pitch Fashion Business and Graduate from Manchester Metropolitan University
Pippa Bowerman, Winner of The F&F Catwalk Competition and The University of Bath and Arts University Bournemouth Catwalk Award
Reyah Shaikh, Winner of The Cultural Heritage (Non-Design) Award and Graduate from Southampton Solent University
Senuji De Silva, Winner of Northumbria Catwalk Award and Graduate from Northumbria University
Sonia Abul, Winner of The Surface Textile Award and Graduate from Norwich University of The Arts
Tianey West, Winner of Project Pitch Fashion Marketing and Graduate from Southampton Solent University
By curating and connecting a panel of experts across disciplines, and paired with graduates who can benefit from their experience, Graduate Fashion Foundation supports young talent in a personalised way, driving real impact in the next generation and shaping the future of the fashion industry.
To discover the graduates' work, visit our talent page.
