The TikTok GFF Graduate Residency Returns to the FTA

Last summer, 2020, the Graduate Fashion Foundation (GFF) teamed up with TikTok to provide selected fashion graduates with a unique residency. Based at the Fashion Technology Academy’s (FTA) Tailoring Academy, the students spent 5-days learning all about design for manufacturing, CAD, grading, commercial patterns, production lines and quality control whilst producing their own TikTok brand merchandise designs.

Fronted by Graduate Fashion Foundation Ambassador Henry Holland, the 2020 TikTok Graduate Residency was hailed as a huge success with students gaining hands-on industry insight from the FTA team. Lucy Moore, a fashion design graduate from Leeds Arts University, told the GFF: “It’s been a really good week, I think we’ve all learnt so many things, from how to use different machines to simple tips and tricks that the seamstresses have learnt on the job for many years that you don’t pick up at uni,” she said. “I want my own business eventually so this has given me an indication about how much work goes into each garment.”

Moving forward to this summer’s 2021 graduates and we are thrilled to announce that we will be supporting the TikTok /GFF Residency once again with our state-of-the-art premises, equipment and experienced tutors. 60 newly graduated designers from GFF UK member universities have been selected as winners to participate in one of two 5-day creative TikTok residencies at the FTA during July. Each graduate will be provided with accommodation along with a competition prize of £500.

Along with the FTA’s knowledgeable tutors and neighbouring factory the graduates will also receive mentoring from some of today’s leading designers and GFF ambassadors, who will be stopping by each week to share advice and guidance.

By the end of each residency, the graduates will have produced multiple garments of their selected winning design, which will be gifted by TikTok to their Creator and VIP community. All students are encouraged to document their design process on the digital platform, with top content curated in on the #TikTokxGFF hashtag and @OfficialGFW profile.

Hilary Alexander OBE, President of Graduate Fashion Foundation said:“We are delighted that TikTok are continuing their partnership with the Foundation. They make an immensely positive contribution to graduating students, our charity and to the future of creative talent which could not be more vital during such a difficult year. This opportunity was a highlight in the graduate’s work experience in 2020 and we know the Class of 2021 will walk away from the residencies in a stronger position than ever before as they enter the job market. TikTok thrives off creativity and we are thrilled that our final year students can explore this creative journey with them.”

The FTA / Fashion-Enter team will be reporting on all the action from the residencies as they take place during July. To find out more about the initiative and the graduates from last year tap here.