This year sees new brands flock to support Graduate Fashion Week, the largest showcase BA talent in the world, and the emerging young talent it represents. Ralph Lauren, John Lewis, Johnstons of Elgin, Tessuti and Size? are the latest leading retailers to get involved in the four-day event that aims to bridge the gap between graduation and employment, joining the likes of George, SmartFocus, ASOS, Boohoo, L’Oréal Professionnel, Bonmarche, Mothercare, Gap Inc., YKK and Boux Avenue.
Graduate Fashion Week is excited to announce John Lewis as a new sponsor for 2018. Partnering on the event for the first time, the brand will host a talk within the GFW Talk Live Space and have a stand available for students to visit with portfolios, with John Lewis design and recruitment partners on hand to share advice and insight. New for 2018, Ralph Lauren will be partnering with Graduate Fashion Week on a talk during the event and a stand onsite for graduates to visit with their portfolios and obtain advice and insight into what it takes to run a globally successful designer brand.
Streetwear specialist size? will be sponsoring the Photography Award, which recognises the creative practice and the value it holds within the industry with a £750 prize. Hosting a talk with sportswear industry experts as well as being available to chat all things footwear during GFW, size? are also sponsoring the ‘size? Terrace Bar’. As part of the partnership the ‘size? Terrace Bar’ will also host live size? DJ sessions, daily raffles for trainers, bespoke brand events from the likes of Reebok, as well as custom refreshments being created by Manchester’s Black Milk.
Premium fashion retailer Tessuti are also partnering with Graduate Fashion Week for the first time, sponsoring a new award “The Sports and Leisurewear Award”, where the winner will receive a prize of £1000, with an additional £750 going to the winning university. Tessuti will also be offering opportunities for paid placements during the event, hosting a series of inspiring interactive events and sessions within the sponsorship floor. The space will be set-up for graduates to visit and discuss career opportunities within the wider JD Sports Fashion PLC team.
New for 2018, luxury Scottish cashmere brand Johnstons of Elgin joins Graduate Fashion Week sponsoring the newly introduced Considered Design Showcase on Wednesday 6th June. The winner of the new Considered Design Award will receive £750 prize with an additional £250 going to the winning university.
