PRACTICAL WORKSHOPS

Fashion Futures 2 student drawing in the new ceramic galleries

One hundred teenagers from London and Greater Manchester attend the launch of Fashion Futures 2011 at the V&A’s Sackler Centre.

2011 marks seven years of the Fashion Futures 2 initiative, an intensive 10 week course which aims to give 16 – 18 year olds, particularly those from less privileged backgrounds, a realistic insight into the working world of fashion.

The launch day began with a briefing from the FAD team, introducing students to the project and this year’s theme, ‘New Design Now’. In the afternoon they spent time researching and drawing in the newly restored ceramics, jewellery and glass galleries – taking inspiration from contemporary colour, sculptural silhouettes and new advancements in texture and pattern.

The next step for our young designers will be the practical workshops, taking place simultaneously at Hackney Community College(for students in North London) and Lewisham College (for students in South London). For the third year running, FAD is pleased to be working in partnership with Aimhigher and the University of Salford, bringing Fashion Futures 2 to young people in the Greater Manchester area.

2011 represents a challenging year for charities and local authorities. In spite of cuts in funding, continued demand for Fashion Futures 2 from both schools and students proves there is a strong need for initiatives which bring industry and creative young people together. Now more then ever young people are feeling the pressure to make the right career choices, and FAD can support them to do exactly that.

See more photos from the Research Day in "FF2 in Action".

FAD Project Manager, Joanne Matthews, presents the 2011 brief to students

FASHION FUTURES 2 CELEBRATION

On Friday 20th May FAD held an interactive celebration at the Victoria & Albert Museum, to mark the end of Fashion Futures 2 workshops.

Young people from across London and greater Manchester attended the event to find out which talented students would be selected to go through to the next stage – FAD’s Summer School at the University of East London, and the 2011 FAD Junior Awards final at London Fashion Week.

MEET THE FINALISTS

Meet the talented 25 who have made it through to the FAD Summer School at The University of East London and the 2011 FAD Junior Awards final, set to take place at London Fashion Week in September.

NORTH LONDON FINALISTS

Danielle Osammor, Newham College

Hamida Begum, City & Islington 6th Form College

Isabella Mackenzie, Camden School for Girls

2011 FAD SUMMER SCHOOL

After beating one hundred other young people for a place in the second stage of Fashion Futures 2, the FAD finalists faced their biggest challenge yet – to create a collection for the London Fashion Week catwalk in just five days.

Working alongside fashion tutors and student mentors at The University of East London they spent a week re-drafting ideas, creating patterns from scratch and sewing together their final creations.

The twenty five finalists, aged between 16 – 19 years old, are from many boroughs across London and Manchester. On Tuesday 20th September they will go head to head to present their design achievements at the 2011 FAD Junior Awards. On the night they will compete for top industry placements in front of a jury panel of retail and design professionals.

Visit our website again next month, when the winners and runners-up will be announced at the 2011 FAD Junior Awards & catwalk show. The event will take place for the fourth year running at Vauxhall Fashion Scout as part of their official schedule for London Fashion Week.

In the meantime scroll down to see more photos of the finalists in action and read their thoughts on the FAD experience so far.

MEETING INDUSTRY
Finalists go behind the scenes at top UK retailers

FAD arranged for the finalists of the 2011 FAD Junior Awards to take part in a two day programme of industry visits and workshops in London.

The finalists arrive at Marks & Spencer's Head Office

Day 1

The first day began with a visit to the headquarters of one of the UK’s largest and longstanding retailers, Marks and Spencer. A jam packed programme included talks from designers, Head Buyers and Merchandisers and an insight into M&S’s award winning Plan A scheme, dedicated to fair trading, quality and innovation.

The students then participated in a series of career based workshops with FAD’s Educational Projects Manager, Joanne Matthews, covering everything from how to create a strong CV and applying for work experience, to preparing for university and job interviews.

The day ended with a visit to Vauxhall Fashion Scout at London Fashion Week to watch the Ubuntu South African Showcase Catwalk.

Finalists with River Island womenswear designer Lucy

Day 2

Day two and the finalists headed west to visit River Island’s head office. They were greeted by womenswear designer and FAD volunteer, Lucy, who showed them around the busy design studios.

FAD would like to thank our industry supporters at River Island, Marks & Spencer and Vauxhall Fashion Scout for making these visits possible.

Are you aged between 16-19 years-old? read more about future FAD careers events at the Fashion & Textiles Museum here.

2011 FAD Junior Awards Final
By Ami Sedghi, FAD Volunteer Reporter

London Fashion Week was in for a treat last week as 25 of the strongest, most original and inspirational young designers gathered together at Vauxhall Fashion Scout in Covent Garden for the 2011 FAD Junior Awards.

2011 FAD Junior Awards Winner, Sabine Bindere

Runner-Up, Yasemin Cakli;Runner-Up, Yasemin Cakli;Award for Commercial Design, Gemma Halliwell

BEHIND THE SCENES AT LONDON FASHION WEEK

Talented 2008 FAD Junior Awards Finalists, Tan Singtosap and Jasmine Lee, returned to this year's show as social photographers to capture all the action backstage and at the after-show party.

Click on the interactive photo album below to see their work: