Gap Inc. Joins Forces With The Graduate Fashion Foundation As It Announces The Mentoring Programme For Its Class Of 2021

Image Courtesy of Graduate Fashion Foundation

November 2021 : Graduate Fashion Foundation are proud to announce that they will be collaborating with Gap Inc. as they look to scale their successful Graduate Fashion Mentoring Programme, to support the Class of 2021.

The mentoring programme is aimed to provide support for the Graduates as they enter the fashion industry by pairing them with a long-term experienced industry mentor.

GFF strongly believes that the mentoring programme and the help of dedicated mentors can improve the skills of talented, young graduates helping them towards achieving successful careers, boosting employability and enriching the UK fashion industry.

Joy Campbell, Director of Brand Partnerships at Graduate Fashion Foundation said;
“We are absolutely delighted that Gap Inc have partnered with us to enable us to deliver the mentoring programme to more students than ever – at a time when it could not be more needed. The Class of 2021 had their studies greatly affected by the pandemic and are entering a hugely competitive job market, yet the support from Gap Inc means that more of the Class of 2021 will get the invaluable experience of a 1:1 industry mentor – the programme has proven that this kind of support really does make a positive impact on the early careers of our Graduates. Not only will Gap Inc. be sharing advice via our digital platforms for those looking for employment in the fashion industry but they will also be supporting by providing mentors from throughout their business that will allow us to work with more graduates than ever before.”

Simon O’Mahony, Director Creative Talent Acquisition, Gap Inc.  said “The impact of the pandemic on the Graduate Fashion Week participants was tremendous, and students missed out on the opportunity to engage with and learn from fashion industry leaders through this program. As the world begins to turn the corner, Gap Inc. is doubling down
on its support of GFW in deeper and more meaningful ways - supporting early career growth of GFW graduates through our new, more robust mentoring program. We are proud to offer one-on-one mentoring opportunities with diverse, emerging designers across all four of our purpose-driven lifestyle brands – Old Navy, Gap, Banana Republic and Athleta - that will give emerging design talent the chance to learn from seasoned professionals and build the foundations they need to succeed in the industry.”

The GFF mentoring scheme was created to provide ongoing support post-graduation.
Graduates starting out in the industry will have a relationship with their mentor for 12 months.

The Mentoring Programme was opened to all Class of 2021 graduates who studied a course
registered at a GFF UK Member university.

All applications will be reviewed by a panel before the final graduates are selected for the scheme based upon what they are looking to gain from the mentorship experience and individual future aims with both industry and their personal careers.

What do 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

The Graduate Fashion Foundation is the world’s largest platform for BA Fashion talent with an annual event taking place at Coal Drops Yard, Kings Cross, London.

About Graduate Fashion Foundation:

Graduate Fashion Foundation is a charitable organisation and an essential part of the fashion industry.

It is the springboard for new talent, the life force the whole industry relies on. Over the past 30 years, more than 100,000 newly graduated and undergraduate students have been supported and guided by the charity.

GFF aim’s remains the same today; dedication to encouraging young people, helping them find employment and get the best start possible in the fashion industry.

An unrivalled platform for the promotion of new talent, Graduate Fashion Foundation bridges the gap between graduation and employment and is responsible for launching the careers of some of the most successful designers of our time including Christopher Bailey MBE, who was the winner of the first ever Gold Award and now a Lifetime Patron of the charity; Stella McCartney, Giles Deacon, Matthew Williamson and Julien MacDonald to name a few.

A charity organisation founded in 1991 by Jeff Banks CBE, Vanessa Denza MBE and John Walford to unify both UK and international universities and create a stronghold for the creative industries to find the best talent.

Graduate Fashion Foundation celebrates almost three decades of being one of the world’s most important sources of the new talent for the global designer industry.

A crucial part of the dynamic fashion industry, fuelling innovation in all parts of fashion business.

List of UK University Members of Graduate Fashion Foundation:
Arts University Bournemouth
Bath Spa University
Birmingham City University
University of Brighton
Cambridge School of Art at Anglia Ruskin University
Cambridge School of Visual & Performing Art
Cardiff School of Art & Design
University of Central Lancashire
University of The Creative Arts
Coventry University
De Montfort University

University of Derby
University of East London
Edinburgh College of Art
Falmouth University
Greater Brighton Metropolitan University
Glasgow School of Art
Heriot Watt University
Hertfordshire University
University of Huddersfield
Kingston University
Leeds Arts University
University of Leeds
Liverpool John Moores University
Manchester Metropolitan University
University of Northampton
Northumbria University
Norwich University of the Arts
Nottingham Trent University
Plymouth College of Art
University of Portsmouth
Ravensbourne
Sheffield Hallam University
Salford University
Solent University
University of South Wales
University of Westminster
University of the West of England

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