MR PORTER has launched a global talent search for three aspiring menswear designers who will be mentored in a year-long program.
The initiative, billed as MR PORTER FUTURES, is built on a goal of nurturing new talent from outside the traditional mainstream infrastructure. Eligible candidates will be drawn from an international pool, then selected by way of an anonymous review process.
The three selected designers (or duos) will then enter a year-long program featuring workshops and one-on-one coaching, all while gaining access to top mentors in the industry and MR PORTER’s in-house team. While gaining this invaluable access, designers and/or two-person design teams will craft and deliver their own responsibly sourced and produced collections with support from MR PORTER and consultancy from Create Sustain.
“As MR PORTER marks its 10th anniversary, we continue to carve a space as a leader and role model in the menswear world, with ultimate thanks to our engaged and global network, alongside the collaborative partners, brands, designers, and contributors who make up our multifaceted community,” Fiona Firth, MR PORTER’s managing director, said in a press release. “It is with these resources and extended support system, both internally and externally, that enables us to launch the MR PORTER FUTURES programme and create new opportunities within our industry.”
Applicants must be 18 years of age or older and must not be a current MR PORTER brand and/or a brand currently under contract with the company. For additional rules and info on how to apply, click here. The deadline for applications is June 6. Featured on the inaugural MR PORTER FUTURES mentor selection committee are Nicholas Daley, Julie Ragolia, Tatsuo Hino, Reese Cooper, Judith Tolley, Olie Arnold, and Sam Kershaw.
“We have always been committed to championing a diverse mix of new and emerging designers throughout MR PORTER’s decade in business, but if this year has taught us anything, it is that we have the responsibility to use our global platform to give equal opportunities to all new aspiring menswear voices, no matter their experience or background,” Sam Kershaw, MR PORTER’s buying director, said Monday.
