British Fashion Council names MA scholarship recipients

The British Fashion Council has revealed that four students will receive scholarships to study fashion MAs. The scholarships are awarded by the British Fashion Council Education Foundation, a registered charity that offers scholarships to talented young people to study BAs and MAs.

The four recipients are described as “promising students who have already excelled in their BA degrees” and will benefit from the programme, which aims to improve access into fashion study and employment.

For 2016, the recipients are: Cassandra Verity Green from Central Saint Martins who will study the MA Fashion Womenswear (Accessories) course at Royal College of Art; Cavan McPherson also from Central Saint Martins will study the MA Fashion Womenswear (Knitwear) course at Royal College of Art; Geraint Brian Lewis from University of South Wales will study the Menswear MA course at University of Westminster; and Yasemin Cakli from University of Westminster will study the Menswear MA course at University of Westminster.

This year’s judging panel included Emma Farrow, head of design at Finery; Nabil Nayal, designer and former scholarship recipient; and Sarah Mower, the British Fashion Council Ambassador for Emerging Talent.

British Fashion Council reveals MA Scholarship recipients

For the first time this year, previous scholarship winner Erdem joined the scheme’s funders which include: Coach, Marks and Spencer, Net-a-Porter and Eiesha Bharti Pasricha. The project was also partly supported by HM Government with Employer Ownership funding through Creative Skillset.

Erdem Moralıoğlu said: “I was lucky enough to win the scholarship whilst studying at the Royal College of Art. Looking back I understand how important that was for me then and what’s important to me now is that others can benefit at a similar stage in their development.”

Sarah Mower, who is also co-president of the BFC Education Pillar with Meribeth Parker, added: “The British fashion industry is fuelled by the originality and drive of people from every background who emerge from our world-beating fashion education system. As the costs of further education continue to rise, The British Fashion Council Education Foundation is dedicated to ensuring that the doors remain open to excellent students to whom expense is a barrier. We are grateful to every donor who joins with us to guarantee that brilliant young people continue to strengthen the future of our unique industry.”

Applications were open to graduating students from member colleges of the BFC’s Colleges Council.

Image: courtesy of British Fashion Council