Together with the Swarovski Foundation and The King's Foundation, the Fashion x Craft funding project is entering its third round this year. The initiative aims to support young fashion and textile designers and teach them new techniques that go beyond the boundaries of traditional fashion and textile production methods. Interested fashion and textile design graduates were able to apply for the third round of the program in autumn 2023. During Berlin Fashion Week in February 2024, the six participants for the third year were announced: Chantal Wehran (Amsterdam Fashion Institute), Jasmin Wottke (HAW Hamburg), Maira Gath (Hannover University of Applied Sciences and Arts), Michelle Bohnes (HTW Berlin), Niclas Hasemann (Pforzheim University of Applied Sciences), and Paula Dischinger (Central Saint Martins).

The recent university graduates are now receiving a tailored program in the areas of sustainability, craftsmanship, and innovation. The first workshops took place this week in Berlin, where participants gained valuable insights and advice from various industry experts. During studio visits at Haderlump Atelier and Olivia Ballard, the participants got to know Berlin-based labels and their designers. These designers shared their experiences and challenges and offered tips on starting their own labels. Nari Haase, a second-year Fashion x Craft participant, led a workshop entitled "How to Approach Sustainability in Lead Design," exploring different fabrics and fibers and addressing topics such as greenwashing and eco-design. In a business planning workshop with FCG CEO Scott Lipinski, participants gained insights into the economic aspects of the fashion industry and learned how to create a business plan. Another highlight was a mentoring workshop with Christiane Arp, Chairwoman of the Board of the FCG, who shared her decades of experience in the industry with the participants and gave them intimate insights into her career path. A sustainability workshop with Vogue Business Editor Maliha Schoaib provided insights into the creation of a sustainable fashion brand and the significance of responsible supply chains.

The next step is a three-week residency in the summer of 2024 at the Highgrove Crafts educational center of The King's Foundation in Gloucestershire, England . There, the six participants will be trained in various crafts such as basket weaving, decorative plasterwork, and traditional woodworking.

Further information about the project can be found on the initiatives page HERE .