The British Fashion Council’s Institute of Positive Fashion has announced its second project, The Missing Thread, in partnership with the Black Oriented Legacy Development Agency (BOLD). The project will celebrate British Black fashion and culture from 1975 to now through a series of programmed events, culminating in a major exhibition in summer 2022. In a separate initiative, the London College of Fashion and the Mayor’s education and youth team are running a free workshop exploring the diversity of jobs in fashion and what skills are needed for a successful career.

Did you know:

• The UK’s Fashion industry is worth £26 billion and employs 800,000 jobs, making it the UK’s largest creative industry
• Each year there’s been a 25% increase in social media use by fashion brands – largely driven by Instagram
• 45% of apparel companies are looking to use more sustainable, bio-based materials in their manufacturing

At this live event, you will discover the diversity of jobs in fashion and understand what future skills are needed for a successful career.

Register here

You will hear from our industry expert panel who represent five major sectors in fashion – sustainability, journalism, design, retail and manufacturing:

Jessica Saunders – Chair

Programme Director of Fashion at London College of Fashion’s School for Design and Technology. Jessica was an international fashion model for 12 years, before becoming a designer, working on her own brand label as well as supporting start up businesses, including one of the first internet fashion labels.

Since become Director of Programmes at LCF, Jessica has worked across all disciplines (Design, Media and Business) in the university and produces exceptional graduates, ensuring sustainability as well as creativity are explored for the future of fashion and the environment.

Paul Austin

Paul is a Senior Menswear Designer and mentor, with 12 years of experience with global brands, such as DKNY, Roland Mouret, Dunhill and Katharine Hamnett. Currently freelance for a range of clients from big brands to start ups, Paul supports designers and new businesses to achieve their future visions, bringing their fashion businesses to life.

Marta Waydel

Marta is a Fashion Futurist, specialising in technology, sustainability, consumer behaviour and digital marketing. Having started off in computer science, Marta has combined her interests to explore the boundaries of how technology can motivate and drive change to a more sustainable fashion future.

Marta is an active public speaker on her research and how gaming can influence the future of fashion and consumer behaviours.

Jessica Bumpus

Jessica Bumpus is a freelance fashion journalist and digital editor as well as a Contributing Editor to THE WEEK FASHION. Prior to this she was Fashion Features Editor at Vogue.co.uk. She writes for a variety of international publications, both online and in print, such as: Harper’s Bazaar, Vogue International, NYLON, International New York Times and has also written for CNN, WSJ, Hunger, Business of Fashion and Sunday Times Style. Jessica has reported from Fashion Weeks around the world and is also a regular speaker, panel member and judge for Centre for Fashion Enterprise, Graduate Fashion Week and the British Fashion Council.

Olivia Weber

Olivia is a local fashion activist, designer and creative director for Trashion Factory working in east London promoting and teaching upcycling and zero waste lifestyle skills. Olivia graduated from LCF in 2019, having already set up her own business and combines her sustainable fashion design work with her advocacy work for resilient and sustainable community development. www.trashionfactory.com – Instagram: @trashionfactory – Depop: @trashionfactory – Youtube: @trashionfactory –

Bogi Fazekas

Working with luxury and global business Burberry as an Allocator, Bogi collaborates with merchandising, planning and distribution in 68 stores, focusing on customer profiles, stock levels and of course sales. Originally from Hungary, Bogi studied economics as an undergraduate and became aware of the possibilities of a career in fashion whilst working in Paris – she then worked in retail for 6 years working her way up to Assistant Store Manager, building her skills and experience and saving up to take a) Postgraduate Certificate at London College of Fashion. Since her post-graduate degree, Bogi has moved into luxury fashion, through Ralph Lauren and into Burberry.

Anna Ellis

A Production and Business Development Manager, Anna has extensive experience working with international supply chains and end to end services from fabric sourcing, technical specifications and sampling through to manufacturing, inspection and delivery with both large and small companies across the globe. Anna is Head of Business Development at Making for Change, London College of Fashion’s production social enterprise and training initiative who are developing innovative manufacturing practices and changing the way people think about fashion production.

Header Image: Courtesy of Shanel