Graduate Fashion Week is pleased to announce that Gap Inc. will sponsor the GFW International Fashion Award catwalk show for 2019. Returning for a fourth year, Gap Inc. will be present with four brands from the company’s portfolio Old Navy, Gap, Banana Republic and Athleta. The globally iconic retailer is bringing recruitment teams from the U.S. to Graduate Fashion Week in London, who will be on the ground meeting students and hiring for roles in the US.
The brand is also sponsoring the 100 capacity GFW Live Talk Space, which hosts 30+ talks over the event in June from; VIP interviews to advice masterclasses and workshops. During the event, Gap Inc. will host three brand panel talks within the GFW Live Talk Space, led by the brands’ design and recruitment teams.
The International Fashion Award started with four universities just six years ago, the 2019 edition will feature students from 40 international universities including leading design schools around the world, such as The New School Parsons in New York, Sichuan Fine Arts Institute in China, Osaka Institute of Fashion in Japan, AOD Sri Lanka, Accademia Costume & Moda in Rome and numerous other international institutes. The Gap Inc. GFW International Fashion Award invites these fashion institutes to enter their best and most innovative student for the opportunity to showcase their collection at Graduate Fashion Week. The first winner of the prestigious award, Angus Chiang who won in 2012, has gone on to launch a successful eponymous fashion house, which is now showing at Paris Fashion Week.
The winner of The International Fashion Award sponsored by Gap Inc. will be announced during the prestigious Gala Award Show that same evening, and will receive a prize of £1,000, alongside the opportunity to showcase for free at London Fashion Week SS20 under Fashion Scout. This news confirms Graduate Fashion Week’s growing international reach and the crucial role that it plays in launching graduates’ careers; offering a global stage for students to receive exposure to job opportunities within the world’s most admired fashion houses and retail brands.
In addition to the International Fashion Award show, Graduate Fashion Week is hosting an International Showcase on the second-floor exhibition space, giving exclusively to international academics and graduates, with the chance to meet industry contacts and develop collaborations.
“We thank GAP Inc. for their support, assisting GFW to bring together graduates from all over the world. This showcase unites international graduates allowing them to explore their cultural diversity through the medium of fashion. GFW International appreciates the patronage of this global brand giving so many an opportunity to show in London, home of fashion opportunities.“ said Adrien Yakimov Roberts, International Trustee at Graduate Fashion Week.
“We are delighted that Gap Inc. will sponsor the International Fashion Award Catwalk show. Gap Inc. has consistently shown their support for students and young talent through their excellent recruitment methods. Like Graduate Fashion Week, they understand the importance of giving students a platform to create and showcase their talent.” said Martyn Roberts, Managing & Creative Director at Graduate Fashion Week.
GFW is the world’s largest event for BA Fashion talent and will be taking place on the 2nd – 5th June 2019 at The Old Truman Brewery, Shoreditch, London.