Dr. Martens has partnered with Central Saint Martins design school for a program geared toward emerging designers and creatives. The program will financially support five fashion students hand-selected by Dr. Martens and Fabio Piras of Central Saint Martins, providing each student with a bursary and a mission to produce garments for the ‘All Access Summer’ collection.
The five students are Francesca Lake, Jude Hinojosa, Xuesong Yang, Lauren Patchett, and Jad Jreissati. Each student is gifted in their respective areas, from menswear to knitwear. Central Saint Martins design school has gained notoriety by producing some of the most iconic names in fashion and entertainment, including Alexander McQueen, Kim Jones, Stella McCartney, and more.
Fabio Piras commented on the partnership, saying: "All of these elements run parallel to Dr. Martens’ ethos and spirit, and this partnership has provided an opportunity for my students to interpret a brief from another perspective, another angle, which is a hugely valuable skill to learn. That’s why we’re here, to continue learning and building the students’ portfolios, experience and inspiration, and long may it continue."
Designer Brand Bursaries
Dr. Martens and Central Saint Martins Team Up to Fund Emerging Designers
Trend Themes
1. Designer Bursaries - Emerging designers are receiving financial support for their designs, disrupting the fashion industry's traditional talent pipeline.
2. Collaborative Design Programs - Partnerships between established fashion brands and design institutions provide a platform for new voices and ideas, disrupting preexisting design and manufacturing processes.
3. Sustainable Fashion - Supporting young designers who prioritize sustainable materials and ethical manufacturing practices disrupts the fashion industry's harmful environmental impact and serves a growing consumer demand for sustainable fashion.
Industry Implications
1. Fashion - Collaborative design programs and promoting sustainable fashion practices present opportunities for disruption in the fashion industry.
2. Education - Design institutions can leverage partnerships with established brands to provide financial support and increased opportunities for their students, disrupting traditional design education models.
3. Textile Manufacturing - Supporting emerging designers who prioritize sustainable materials and ethical manufacturing can disrupt preexisting manufacturing processes and influence the industry's supply chain.