Graduate Fashion Week announces Levi’s, FatFace sponsorship agreements

By

Barbara Santamaria

Published
Mar 29, 2018

Graduate Fashion Week has secured two new partners, including global denim and apparel brand Levi’s and British lifestyle brand FatFace, for the next edition of its annual event.

Levi’s will sponsor the long-established Vivienne Westwood Ethical and Sustainable Award, alongside introducing a new talent programme for graduates. Three graduate students will be offered work placement opportunities across Levi’s London and Stockholm head offices, gaining invaluable first-hand experience and insights into the business.

Richard Hurren, VP of Levi’s North, commented: “Having been at the centre of culture since 1873 and a part of the fashion narrative for generations, Levi’s® has constantly sought to engage with youthful optimism and our most seminal moments as a brand have been when we've been at the heart of the generational cultural and social zeitgeist. This is a great experience to be a part of to engage with graduates and meet with the next generation of talent who will shape the global community and business of fashion”.

FatFace is also joining the list of sponsors for the first time, running a competition that will see four students sell their designs across FatFace stores nationwide. The competition will be open to all BA students from participating Graduate Fashion Week member universities, who were asked to submit a board of research and a final design for a new t-shirt.

The entries will be reviewed by a panel of judges including British designers Holly Fulton, Christopher Raeburn, Henry Holland and journalist Hilary Alexander, with winners receiving each a prize of £500. Their universities will receive an additional £250.

“Home-grown talent has been integral to growing FatFace in the last 30 years, from a tiny outfit selling t-shirts out the back of a campervan to a global multi-channel retailer, and we look forward to welcoming the winning designer into the FatFace family,” commented Emma Shaw, design director at FatFace.

“I think increasingly a lot of big brands look to GFW for true, raw, creativity so I’m really looking forward to seeing all the design work,” added Christopher Raeburn.

The next edition of Graduate Fashion Week will take place on 3-6 June at the Old Truman Brewery in Shoreditch.