News
Wednesday 22 October 2008
Paul Smith's designs on nurturing fashion talent
Emerging fashion designers at Nottingham Trent University are honing their talents through a unique scholarship agreement with global clothing label Paul Smith. The international link-up is seeing top calibre students from the University's School of Art and Design, and the Bunka Women's University and Musashino Art University in Tokyo, being funded to take part in an exclusive study exchange programme.
The Paul Smith Japan/UK Scholarship Scheme, which is set to run for five years initially, will see two scholarships awarded to Japanese students to study on the one year MA Fashion Futures programme at Nottingham Trent University. Four Nottingham Trent University students, meanwhile, go to the Bunka Women's University for ten weeks to gain a firsthand insight into the Japanese fashion industry.
The designer has strong links with Nottingham Trent University and in 2006 officially reopened the multi-million pound Bonington Building – the School of Art and Design's purpose-built centre for creativity.
"These unique scholarships further develop both our tradition of strong relationships with industry and our excellent international links, while opening up opportunities for the brightest and most innovative students from the UK and Japan" said Ann Priest, Dean of Nottingham Trent University's School of Art and Design.
She said: "They will benefit hugely from experiencing the different design practices, methods and theories of another culture; it will allow them to develop their talents in ways that may otherwise have not been possible. Paul Smith has always been keen to help young fashion designers and potential future entrepreneurs, particularly when it means supporting creative talent from the two countries which have really helped to establish his brand as a global success story."
Speaking from Bunka Women's University in Japan, student Charlotte Allen, said: "Winning this scholarship has been such a fantastic opportunity, particularly being given the chance to absorb inspiration from the Japanese and translate this into my own ideas. I am gaining a great deal in terms of learning new skills and knowledge of traditional Japanese textiles techniques, seeing how the Japanese students cleverly cut their garment patterns, and the immeasurable amounts of visual inspiration they use. I am really excited about the future, and returning to Nottingham with new ideas, and new ways of seeing things."
Nottingham-born Paul Smith, who opened his first boutique in the city in 1970, now has 14 shops throughout England and more than 200 in Japan where his label outsells every other European designer. He remains fully involved in the Japanese business, designing the clothes, choosing the fabrics, approving the shop locations and overseeing the development within the company.
Paul Smith said: "I am very pleased to be in a position where I can give what is hopefully an exciting opportunity to students. I think one of the most important experiences in life is travel, and the way this can open your eyes to the world. It certainly has been one of mine."
ENDS
Notes for editors: both institutions, with input from Paul Smith, decide which students are selected for the scholarships.
Dating from 1843, Nottingham Trent University's School of Art and Design is one of most established and respected centres of creative excellence in the United Kingdom. It offers a world-class portfolio of innovative, diverse and exciting courses for study at undergraduate and postgraduate level.
Within a thriving multi-cultural community, located on the vibrant Nottingham city centre campus in impressive state-of-the-art design facilities, its programmes are dynamic, contemporary, cross-cultural, interactive, innovative, exploratory, exciting and life-changing. Its courses have an established international reputation for design excellence and outstanding achievement, taught by leading experts, and incorporating flexibility, innovation, independent learning and professional practice.
For more information visit http://www.ntu.ac.uk/art/.
For more information on Paul Smith visit http://www.paulsmith.co.uk.
For more on the Bunka Women's University visit http://www.bunka-fc.ac.jp/en/index.html.
For more on the Musashino Art University visit http://www.musabi.ac.jp/e-home/.
Press enquiries please contact: Dave Rogers, Press Officer, on Tel: +44 (0)115 848 8782, or via email: dave.rogers@ntu.ac.uk; or Therese Easom, Press and Media Relations Manager, on Tel: +44 (0)115 848 8774, or via email: therese.easom@ntu.ac.uk.
