Net-A-Porter's New Mentorship Scheme Supports Fashion Industry Aspirants

To support students embarking on careers in the fashion industry, Net-A-Porter launches The Vanguard Education Fund, as part of its global emerging talent incubator program, The Vanguard, which welcomes designers Grace Ling and Miss Sohee this year. Organised in partnership with the British Fashion Council (BFC), the new annual mentorship initiative is open to final-year students in UK universities within the BFC Colleges Council, and in select international institutions including Parsons School of Design, who are pursuing courses like fashion and design, ceramics, fine art, photography and jewellery. Four selected winners will be awarded a £12,500 bursary fund and paired for the academic year with two mentors, from an exceptionally talented pool that includes designer and Khaite founder Cate Holstein, Instagram’s director of fashion partnerships Eva Chen, and musician and entrepreneur Jessica Jung.

“Over the past few years, the fashion industry has been shaken up by the pandemic, urgent demands for greater diversity and a bigger commitment to sustainability,” says Alice Casely-Hayford, content director at Net-A-Porter and one of The Vanguard Education Fund Mentors. “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.”

Adds Libby Page, senior market editor at Net-A-Porter: “At Net-A-Porter we recognise our responsibility in the industry, to nurture young, creative individuals and we are laser-focused on launching the very best emerging designers. The Vanguard Education Fund will ensure we discover this talent early on and give more students the opportunity to establish themselves within the fashion industry by providing financial and strategic support at the early stages of their careers.”