London-based fashion community FashMash has announced a new mentoring
scheme designed to support and nurture the next generation of fashion
talent, in particular, those from ethnic minorities and from low
socio-economic backgrounds.
The Young Pioneers initiative will team 12 senior FashMash members,
including Claire Bergkamp, global sustainability and innovation director
from Stella McCartney and Kate Walmsley, digital and e-commerce consultant,
former digital director of Topshop and New Look, with a select group of
those at the beginning of their careers.
The six-month programme is intended to be inclusive for all, but
co-founders Rosanna Falconer and Rachel Arthur states it has been designed
particularly to support ethnic minorities and those from low socio-economic
backgrounds in direct response to the Black Lives Matter movement as well
as the wider ramifications of Covid-19.
The 12 mentees will gain access to monthly mentoring sessions,
networking opportunities, invitations to the FashMash community’s biannual
networking events as well as its monthly mainline Pioneers speaker series,
and a calendar of coaching sessions and intimate talks focused on personal
and professional development, with the aim of actively providing
opportunities for these less represented groups to succeed in the fashion
industry.
Click Here: Cheap France Rugby Jersey
FashMash is calling for UK applicants under 25 years old, who are in an
entry-level position within or associated with fashion and have an annual
income of less than 25,000 pounds, who are looking to “shape the future of
the industry” to apply before August 14 to take part.
FashMash opens applications for Young Pioneers fashion industry
mentoring programme
If successful, applicants will take part in the Young Pioneers programme
from September, and will be teamed up with mentors including Ahmed Ashraf,
head of digital at L’Oréal Luxe, Jenny Cossons, chief partnerships officer
at Lyst, Maria McClay, senior industry head of luxury at Google, Nina
Patel, director of retail innovation Farfetch, Olly Rzysko, chief marketing
officer at Mahabis and co-founder of Ecologi, Susie Mashford, head of
marketing at Ganni, Vanessa Belleau, founder and director at High Fifteen,
and Wilson Oryema, artist, writer and co-founder of Regenerative
Futures.
Upon graduation from the programme, the Young Pioneers will also be
invited to become a full FashMash member.
To expand the reach of the programme, FashMash has also partnered with
Dior Bediako’s The Junior Network, a members club supporting and educating
young fashion professionals. Three of the mentees will be selected from
this network. Consultant Frederica Brooksworth is also on board to devise
and curate the learning and development programme that will run alongside
the mentoring.
Commenting on the scheme, Falconer said in a statement: “Our business
mission is to drive industry change. This is only possible with an
inclusive industry that champions a broad wealth of talent from the black
community, broader minorities, younger generations and those from lower
socio-economic backgrounds. If opportunity is only offered to the
privileged few, we will be overlooking the future founders, leaders and
creatives that will drive the transformation that is needed.”
Co-founder Arthur added: “We need to support those within the industry
who have the potential but not necessarily the access for success. True
change will only happen this way. Our mentoring programme aims to provide
guidance and advice from a variety of diverse role models – enabling them
to pay it forward to a more inclusive, next generation.”
Applications for the Young Pioneers closes on August 14 on FashMash’s
website.
Image: courtesy of FashMash