core sector communique

FAD Teenagers To Showcase 'Great British Talent'      05 Sep 12

• 26 London and Manchester teenagers to showcase fashion designs at London Fashion Week • 16-19 year olds are finalists of the 2012 FAD Junior Awards sponsored by George at Asda • FAD creating industry opportunities for young people from disadvantaged backgrounds 26 talented young people, aged 16-19 years old, will showcase their 'Great British' designs at London Fashion Week later this month as part of an outreach project organised by London based charity FAD. Tuesday 18th September will see the young designers go head-to-head in the 2012 FAD Junior Awards final, sponsored by George at Asda and hosted by Vauxhall Fashion Scout at the prestigious Freemasons' Hall in Covent Garden. The teenage finalists will present garments inspired by their own visions of what it means to be British, in the hope of being crowned winner of the FAD Junior Awards and securing a top design placement with show sponsors George at Asda. The FAD Junior Awards concludes weeks of 'Fashion Futures' workshops, involving 120 16-19 year olds from across 19 inner-city boroughs of London and Manchester. From January to March this year they took part in hands-on workshops with FAD to gain an insight into the fashion industry and to develop the practical skills to design and create their own original garments. From the 120 participants, 26 talented finalists were selected by an industry panel to take part in an intensive FAD summer school at the University of East London. It was here, with the support of industry mentors, that the budding designers put together their catwalk-worthy collection in just five days. Reflecting on their experience the finalists commented: "The first stage was a great enough experience, so for me to get to the final is just incredible. I don't even feel like I need to win because having my outfit showing on the catwalk at London Fashion Week is just mind-blowing in itself!" Eva Blessing Onyeulo, 17, Raine's Foundation School (Tower Hamlets) "This experience has helped me in many way; it has not only given me valuable skills but it's such an amazing step in the right direction for young people from backgrounds like mine, who passionately want to be a part of the fashion industry." Kai Boardman, 17, Salford City College "I think that organisations like FAD make a big difference in young peoples lives because they really encourage them to continue studying and working toward what they want to do in the future. FAD gives a great insight of what the industry world is really like and provides very 'real' experiences." Maria Herrera, 18, Saint Francis Xavier 6th Form College (Wandsworth) FAD's Fashion Futures programme, which George is sponsoring as part of its pledge to champion young British talent, is now in its eighth year.  Aimed at 13-25 year olds, FAD's fashion projects and competitions strive to support and nurture young talent in its earliest stages, working with industry partners to bring practical skills, careers advice and life changing opportunities to young people from disadvantaged backgrounds. George Brand Director, Fiona Lambert said of the brand's involvement: "FAD is a fantastic way to help young people break into the fashion industry. At George we are passionate about nurturing the next generation of fashion talent and FAD enables us to do exactly that by giving those with less fortunate backgrounds the opportunity to learn invaluable fashion skills, receive professional coaching and provide a platform to showcase their hard work and ability.  It's great to be able to be involved in the charity and provide an insight into working in the fashion industry." FAD: Fashioning Futures FAD (Fashion Awareness Direct) aims to give young people a realistic insight into industry while using fashion as a tool to equip 13-25 year olds, especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds, with the skills, confidence and motivation to succeed in the future.  To date FAD has worked with more then 8,000 young people across the UK. As a direct result of taking part in the Junior Awards, past finalists have gone on to study at institutions such as Ravensbourne, London College of Fashion and Chelsea School of Art & Design www.fad.org.uk