Shop window for students’ skills

Jan 30 2008 by Peter McCusker, The Journal

A DEPARTMENT store has teamed up with a design school to help students hone their skills.

Fenwick has teamed up with Northumbria University’s School of Design in a partnership that will see the Newcastle retailer help budding designers showcase their talent.

Highlight of the partnership is the new Fenwick Fashion Award 2008, which will transform the shop windows into a week-long workshop where students will finish their final collections. Fenwick marketing head Lindsey McKenna said: “As one of the region’s major fashion retailers, we are delighted to be able to bring a new dimension to the leading fashion curriculum at Northumbria’s School of Design.

“It is a real privilege to be able to work closely with the students and to play a part in them becoming designers of the future. Our mutual dedication to cutting-edge fashion, style and commitment to the North-East makes this a really exciting partnership and we’re looking forward to working together as part of this long-term project.”

School of Design programme leader Chris Hodge said: “Our students are really excited to be working with Fenwick.

“We’re always keen to explore new avenues to promote the quality talent we attract to the course and this partnership with one of the region’s longest-standing fashion retailers will be invaluable in giving students accessible industry insights as well as raising awareness of their outstanding work.”