Kurt Geiger expands free design programme after 130% demand surge, plans to take it to US
The premium shoe and bags retailer said applications surged 130% compared to 2024 ahead of A-Level results day and applications for 10 extra places will therefore reopen on 14 August, running until 18 August. In launching the application window this spring, the company had already increased its intake by 50% compared to last year's.
Operated through the Kurt Geiger Kindness Foundation, BBD is a free programme that provides people facing financial or access barriers with paid placements for hands-on industry experience, mentorship, and AQA-accredited training. It covers all costs 'to ensure no barriers to entry'. That's crucial at a time when average UK student debt now stands at £53,000.
The company said its programme is also particularly important because just 17% of the creative sector is working class and 86% of internships are still unpaid, thereby giving an advantage to those who can afford to work for nothing.
It added that 43% of young people have an interest in working in creative fields but 42% of them feel it's too difficult or expensive to consider entering the industry. Business by Design participants gain hands-on exposure across departments including design, buying, digital marketing, and merchandising and the success of the programme is such that 22% of its 2025 alumni are now employed full time at Kurt Geiger.
And early next year it plans to launch a digital version of the programme to open it up to those outside London, with plans to take it 'to the US and even further afield'.
Neil Clifford, CEO of Kurt Geiger, said: 'The idea that you need a degree to succeed in fashion is outdated – I know that first-hand. I didn't go to university, but I was given opportunities that helped me break into the industry. That's exactly what Business by Design is about – access, experience, and real-world support. By opening extra spaces, we're helping more young people from all backgrounds take their first steps into creative careers, without the barriers of traditional education.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Fashion Network
5 hours ago
- Fashion Network
Revolution Beauty rejects bid from private equity firm True, sources say
By Reuters Revolution Beauty has rejected a takeover offer from specialist private equity firm True, leaving the cosmetics group likely to revive a capital raising from existing shareholders, two people familiar with the matter said. The London-listed makeup and haircare company, whose products retail online and via high street stores including Boots and Superdrug, kicked off a sale process in May, and in June said it had received proposals from a number of parties. True was the only company to submit a bid for the firm, which counts British online fashion retailer Debenhams as its largest shareholder, the people said, asking not to be identified because the talks were private. However, the offer was seen as undervaluing the company, according to one source. Revolution Beauty declined to comment. Debenhams and True did not respond to requests for comment. Mike Ashley's Frasers Group had also explored buying the firm but said last month it had pulled out of the process. Revolution Beauty, founded in Kent in 2014, floated in a post-pandemic listing boom at a valuation of nearly 500 million pounds, but its value subsequently cratered to around 12 million pounds, according to LSEG data. The company is likely instead to revive plans to raise funds from key shareholders if no other bidders materialise, the people said. It told shareholders earlier this year that it was reviewing its funding structure and mulling a fundraise from key shareholders after its annual sales slumped by more than a quarter. Debenhams' participation in any equity raise may hinge on the completion of its own debt refinancing plans, the second person said. In May, Revolution Beauty also said it had begun talks with lenders over amending and extending the terms of its revolving credit facilities. © Thomson Reuters 2025 All rights reserved.
Fashion Network
5 hours ago
- Fashion Network
Revolution Beauty rejects bid from private equity firm True, sources say
Revolution Beauty has rejected a takeover offer from specialist private equity firm True, leaving the cosmetics group likely to revive a capital raising from existing shareholders, two people familiar with the matter said. The London-listed makeup and haircare company, whose products retail online and via high street stores including Boots and Superdrug, kicked off a sale process in May, and in June said it had received proposals from a number of parties. True was the only company to submit a bid for the firm, which counts British online fashion retailer Debenhams as its largest shareholder, the people said, asking not to be identified because the talks were private. However, the offer was seen as undervaluing the company, according to one source. Revolution Beauty declined to comment. Debenhams and True did not respond to requests for comment. Mike Ashley 's Frasers Group had also explored buying the firm but said last month it had pulled out of the process. Revolution Beauty, founded in Kent in 2014, floated in a post-pandemic listing boom at a valuation of nearly 500 million pounds, but its value subsequently cratered to around 12 million pounds, according to LSEG data. The company is likely instead to revive plans to raise funds from key shareholders if no other bidders materialise, the people said. It told shareholders earlier this year that it was reviewing its funding structure and mulling a fundraise from key shareholders after its annual sales slumped by more than a quarter. Debenhams' participation in any equity raise may hinge on the completion of its own debt refinancing plans, the second person said. In May, Revolution Beauty also said it had begun talks with lenders over amending and extending the terms of its revolving credit facilities.
Fashion Network
5 hours ago
- Fashion Network
Revolution Beauty rejects bid from private equity firm True, sources say
Revolution Beauty has rejected a takeover offer from specialist private equity firm True, leaving the cosmetics group likely to revive a capital raising from existing shareholders, two people familiar with the matter said. The London-listed makeup and haircare company, whose products retail online and via high street stores including Boots and Superdrug, kicked off a sale process in May, and in June said it had received proposals from a number of parties. True was the only company to submit a bid for the firm, which counts British online fashion retailer Debenhams as its largest shareholder, the people said, asking not to be identified because the talks were private. However, the offer was seen as undervaluing the company, according to one source. Revolution Beauty declined to comment. Debenhams and True did not respond to requests for comment. Mike Ashley's Frasers Group had also explored buying the firm but said last month it had pulled out of the process. Revolution Beauty, founded in Kent in 2014, floated in a post-pandemic listing boom at a valuation of nearly 500 million pounds, but its value subsequently cratered to around 12 million pounds, according to LSEG data. The company is likely instead to revive plans to raise funds from key shareholders if no other bidders materialise, the people said. It told shareholders earlier this year that it was reviewing its funding structure and mulling a fundraise from key shareholders after its annual sales slumped by more than a quarter. Debenhams' participation in any equity raise may hinge on the completion of its own debt refinancing plans, the second person said. In May, Revolution Beauty also said it had begun talks with lenders over amending and extending the terms of its revolving credit facilities.
