How Emerging Fashion Designers Get A Leg Up In The Industry With The Vanguard Education Fund
This mentoring initiative by NET-A-PORTER x British Fashion Council offers financial support as well as salient guidance for budding creatives
By Annabel Middleton - published
Breaking into the fashion business can be overwhelmingly challenging for young designers who often find more closed doors than open ones. Understanding the difficulties they face, online luxury and fashion retailer NET-A-PORTER is offering a helping hand by opening avenues with an innovative programme called The Vanguard.
This talent incubator empowers promising young designers by providing mentorship and giving them a head start in the field. Not only do selected aspiring creatives receive practical advice and marketing support, but they also get the opportunity to showcase fresh ideas and original designs to NET-A-PORTER’s fashion-savvy global clientele.
Future-proofing new talent
To nurture emerging talent and enlarge the genius pool, the online fashion retailer has collaborated with the British Fashion Council (BFC) to offer the Vanguard Education Fund. Designed to help final-year students as they embark on their professional careers in the industry, the initiative confers both financial and strategic support.
“The Vanguard Education Fund ensures that we discover this talent early on and provide much-needed mentorship to students who may not otherwise have been able to go on to practise design,” says Libby Page, market director of NET-A-PORTER.
The Fund will be open to final-year students studying at British universities within the BFC Colleges Council and selected international institutions (such as Parsons School of Design in New York City and ESMOD in France) across multidisciplinary courses – from fashion and design to ceramics, fine art, photography and jewellery.
Now in its second year, this mentorship scheme aims to “future-proof emerging design talent who are leading the way in creativity, innovation and positive business,” says Caroline Rush, BFC’s chief executive.
Established in 1983, the not-for-profit BFC’s mission is to champion diversity and invite the industry to actively engage in a circular fashion economy.
Related article: What You’ll Be Wearing For SS23, According To Net-A-Porter
Meet the mentors
Gaining a foothold in the fashion industry takes more than just skill and luck. That is why this collaborative effort of the 2nd Vanguard Education Fund is such a changemaker as budding designers receive a vital boost – both tangible and intangible – to point them in the right direction.
Applications closed in March 2023 and winners will be announced in September 2023. These four winners will be awarded a £12,500 (SG$21,509) bursary each and paired with two of the Fund’s influential mentors for the academic year, selected to complement the students’ individual ambitions.
The call for greater diversity and a commitment to sustainability has never been more urgent, after the recent pandemic and its effect on all industries, including the field of fashion.
“Now is the time for us to support, nurture and mentor the next generation of design talent, who will continue to drive things forward and innovate,” says Alice Casely-Hayford, content director at NET-A-PORTER.
Priya Ahluwalia, founder and creative director of Ahluwalia. Photo: Courtesy of Laurence Ellis
Sébastien Meyer and Arnaud Vaillant, founders of Coperni. Photo: Courtesy of Gorka Postigo Breedveld
Albert Ayal, founder of Up Next Designer. Photo: Courtesy of Rodkin Eckenroth
This year, industry experts who will serve as mentors include:
* Priya Ahluwalia, founder and creative director of Ahluwalia
* Elin Kling, co-founder and creative director of TOTEME
* Sébastien Meyer and Arnaud Vaillant, founders of Coperni
* Albert Ayal, founder of Up Next Designer
* Yoyo Cao, fashion consultant and entrepreneur
* Camille Charrière, fashion editor and consultant
* Alice Casely-Hayford, NET-A-PORTER’s content director
* Libby Page, NET-A-PORTER’s market director
Photo: Courtesy of Net-a-Porter
For the first time, an industry figure from Singapore will also join the 2nd Vanguard Education Fund’s mentorship panel. Bringing her expertise to the table is trendsetter and fashion entrepreneur Yoyo Cao, who is one of Asia’s top social media influencers. Her Instagram page currently boasts nearly half a million followers.
“With the current economy, a slowdown is expected, but that may actually work in the favour of young talent,” says Cao, who is the founder of a multi-label store called Exhibit as well as a skincare brand called Romi Beauty.
“Emerging designers who can offer fresh concepts are exactly what the fashion industry needs to bring about a renewed sense of excitement and allow us to look at the familiar in unexpected ways.”
Charting the future
Poised to nurture the next generation of fashion talent, the Vanguard Education Fund initiative is the coveted launching pad every new designer needs to get off the ground and establish their brand.
“It is paramount that we help the new generation bring their vision to life in a meaningful way,” says NET-A-PORTER’s Casely-Hayford. “We must nurture and make generous space for the talent of tomorrow as they are the future of fashion.”
Followers of NET-A-PORTER are invited to join the conversation on social media by tagging @NETAPORTER. For more information about NET-A-PORTER, visit www.net-a-porter.com.