How Can We Nurture the Next Generation of Fashion Designers?

OXFORDSHIRE, United Kingdom — A stellar group of educators — including London College of Fashion head of college Frances Corner, Polimoda director of strategy and vision Linda Loppa, Central Saint Martins course director MA Fashion Fabio Piras and Parson's School of Design board of governors Simon Collins — gathered in December at VOICES, BoF's new annual gathering for big thinkers.

In a panel moderated by Mimma Viglezio, the group spoke about how the fashion industry needed to invest in its future talent.

"The companies hiring designers, very few of them are investing in the education of the people they will eventually employ, said Collins. "It's very expensive to become a fashion designer if you're going to go to school... Some of the really big companies don't give a penny."

"What's really missing is a real connection with the industry," responded Piras, noting that this also requires investment.

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VOICES is BoF's new annual gathering for big thinkers in partnership with QIC Global Real Estate.