Latest news with #BusinessbyDesignAcademy
Fashion United
4 days ago
- Business
- Fashion United
Kurt Geiger expands free design programme after interest surges
British fashion footwear and accessories brand Kurt Geiger has added an extra 10 spaces to its free career incubator, Business by Design Academy (BBD), in response to 'unprecedented demand' ahead of A-level results day. The free design programme, from the Kurt Geiger Kindness Foundation, offers an alternative to university for London-based young people facing financial or access barriers with hands-on industry experience, mentorship, and AQA-accredited training, covering all costs 'to ensure no barriers to entry'. The Academy's third cohort of students will begin on September 9, based at Kurt Geiger's head office in London, where they will undertake a free, seven-month AQA Unit Award-accredited scheme, including weekly masterclasses and training sessions, one-to-one mentorship, and paid work experience at Kurt Geiger. Participants will gain hands-on exposure across departments, including design, buying, digital marketing, and merchandising. Applications originally opened on April 1, with the number of places increased by 50 percent compared to last year's intake. Following a 130 percent surge in demand for applications to the academy, they are adding 10 additional spaces, with applications re-opening from August 14 to 18. Sophia Johnson, head of Business by Design Academy, said in a statement: 'This surge in applications reflects just how strongly young people are seeking alternative, practical routes into creative education and employment. 'We're doubling the size of our Business by Design Academy cohort this year, and with demand continuing to grow, we're opening a final round of places to ensure young people can access the vocational learning and real-world experience they need to thrive in the creative industries.' Kurt Geiger Business by Design Academy Credits: Kurt Geiger In April this year, 33 students graduated from the Academy's second cohort. Of those, four are now employed full-time at Kurt Geiger, and three received entrepreneurial grants to launch their own ventures. Since launching BBD, Kurt Geiger now employs 22 percent of all Academy alumni, with many continuing their growth through apprenticeships within the company. According to Kurt Geiger, 43 percent of young people have an interest in working in creative fields, while 42 percent feel it's too difficult or expensive to consider entering the industry. The BBD aims to offer a meaningful route into the creative industry, free from the financial burden of traditional higher education, where average student debt in the UK now stands at 53,000 pounds. Neil Clifford, chief executive of Kurt Geiger, added: '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.'
Fashion Network
30-07-2025
- Business
- Fashion Network
Kurt Geiger expands free design programme after 130% demand surge, plans to take it to US
Kurt Geiger is to release additional places for its free London-based Business by Design Academy (BBD) following a particularly large number of applications in 2025 and as it seeks to widen access to jobs in creative industries for those from working class backgrounds. 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.'
Fashion Network
30-07-2025
- Business
- Fashion Network
Kurt Geiger expands free design programme after 130% demand surge, plans to take it to US
Kurt Geiger is to release additional places for its free London-based Business by Design Academy (BBD) following a particularly large number of applications in 2025 and as it seeks to widen access to jobs in creative industries for those from working class backgrounds. 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.'
Fashion Network
30-07-2025
- Business
- Fashion Network
Kurt Geiger expands free design programme after 130% demand surge, plans to take it to US
Kurt Geiger is to release additional places for its free London-based Business by Design Academy (BBD) following a particularly large number of applications in 2025 and as it seeks to widen access to jobs in creative industries for those from working class backgrounds. 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.'
Fashion Network
30-07-2025
- Business
- Fashion Network
Kurt Geiger expands free design programme after 130% demand surge, plans to take it to US
Kurt Geiger is to release additional places for its free London-based Business by Design Academy (BBD) following a particularly large number of applications in 2025 and as it seeks to widen access to jobs in creative industries for those from working class backgrounds. 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.'
