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Fashion: It's often expensive to buy, and sometimes even more so to make. Luckily, these fashion brands and companies understand what fashion entrepreneurs go through, and have been more than willing to give back to those who are on their journeys to the top.
For example, LVMH — the largest luxury goods company in the world— created L'Institut des Métiers d'Excellence, a vocational and apprenticeship program that trains the next generation in fields such as jewelry making and culinary arts.
Earlier this year, Gucci launched two scholarships under its Gucci Changemakers Scholarship Program in North America: Gucci Changemaker Scholars and Gucci Changemakers x CFDA Scholars by Design Program, in partnership with the Council of Fashion Designers of America, both of which seek to give $20,000 fashion scholarships to those from underrepresented areas.
But they aren't the only ones preparing the next generation for the future of fashion. Business Insider rounded up seven grants, fellowships, and scholarships to be on the lookout for; the programs offer a combination of funding, networking, and exposure opportunities. Entries are arranged in increasing order of the size of the grants.
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DON'T MISS: LVMH just agreed to buy Tiffany for $16.2 billion — here are 17 of the most iconic brands the French luxury giant already owns
1. The LVMH Institut des Métiers d'Excellence
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Who it's for: The LVMH Institut des Métiers d'Excellence is a vocational training program that promotes careers in traditional craftsmanship professions. The apprenticeship is for those who are between 16 and 30 years old, or for those who are over 26 and considered to be unemployed.
Type of program: Apprenticeship and vocational training
Compensation amount:Compensation is dependent upon the age of the apprentice, and increases each year. For the vocational training, payment is in accordance to age and qualification.
Number of positions available: There are 21 different training programs. The 2019 class comprised of 300 apprentices, each compensated per the guidelines stated above.
Length of program: The apprenticeships contracts can last from six months to four years. The vocational training can last six to 12 months (or 24 for certain professions).
When it was founded: 2014
How it works: The program partners with various schools around Europe in jewelry, winemaking, couture, retail, designer, leather goods, watchmaking, culinary arts, and vineyards. Apprentices receive technical and theoretical education, along with experience at the various houses within LVMH. They are also given the opportunity to take foreign language classes and meet designers. The programs are located in France, Switzerland, and Italy. For instructions on how to apply, click here.
Notable winners: As written on the LVMH website, in 2018, 98% of the apprentices graduated from the program; 83% of those graduates found jobs in their chosen profession afterward.
"The IME continues to achieve the objectives set when the program was launched: develop the employability of youth who are either unskilled or seeking to learn new skills, while passing on the invaluable savoir-faire of LVMH Maisons to new generations,"LVMH's website states.
2. Kering Foundation Awards
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Who it's for: Social entrepreneurs who, according to Kering's website, "have developed innovative ways to combat violence against women."
Type of program: Incubation program and mentorship
Grant Amount: The grant ranges from €5,000 - €10,000 (roughly $4,400 to $8,900) per person
Number of grants awarded: In 2018, seven recipients were chosen.
Length of program: Six-month learning program with an innovation expert, in addition to a two-year mentorship with personnel from Kering.
When it was founded: 2008
How it works: Grants have been awarded every two years since 2008. The next award class is set to be chosen in 2020.
Notable winners: Jessica Ladd, founder of the nonprofit organization Project Callisto; Hera Hussain, founder of the volunteer network for gender-based violence, Chayn; Ly Ying, founder of the gender development center Yuanzhong.
"These Awards, alongside partnerships with local NGOs and awareness-raising, are a fundamental part of [the] three pillars of the Kering Foundation's mission to end the violence that impacts 1 in 3 women worldwide,"Kering said in a press release."By enabling social entrepreneurs to strengthen their business models, the Kering Foundation's backing contributes to achieving sustainable change."
3. The Fellows Program at Tory Burch Foundation
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Who it's for: The program is for women entrepreneurs who are at least 21 years old and own a majority stake in their business, in addition to managing it on a day-t0-day basis. The business has to be for-profit, and in the early stages (one to five years preferred). In addition, the business has to be operating in the United States, and have generated at least $75,000 in revenue in the past year.
Type of Program: Fellowship
Grant Amount: $5,000 per person
Number of grants awarded: Up to 50 each year, with 10 selected to participate in Pitch Day.
How long it lasts: One year
When it was founded: 2015
How it works: The program offers five days of workshops and networking. The website states that the program provides "the community of support you need to connect, learn, and grow your business." Fellows are also given the opportunity to pitch their businesses. Applications open in September.
Notable winners: Sabena Suri, founder of the luxury product subscription service BoxFox; Nicole Baldwin, founder of the natural skincare line Biao; Sashee Chandran, founder of organic tea line Tea Drops.
"In the United States, nearly a fifth of all startups will fail their first year and almost half by year five,"said Laurie Fabiano, president of the Tory Burch Foundation, according to BizJournal."The Fellows Program provides the resources and network women-owned businesses need during this critical growth period."
4. Gucci Changemaker Scholarship Program in North America
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Who it's for: The scholarship program provides scholarships to undergraduate students who have financial need and have an interest in the fashion industry.
Type of Program: Scholarship
Grant Amount: Up to $20,000 a year per student. Applicants can reapply each year. Deadline for 2020 is Tuesday, December 31st at 11:59 p.m.
How many are given out: 20 to 50 scholarships will be awarded.
How long it lasts: Up to four years
When it was founded: 2019
How it works: Applications are open for high school seniors and students attending an accredited four-year college or university. Preference will be given to those who live in Atlanta, Chicago, Detroit, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, New York, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Toronto, and Washington D.C. Preference also given to those attending or with plans to attend a Historically Black College and University.
Gucci Changemakers also has a $20,000 diversity scholarship in partnership with the Council of Fashion Designers of America noted as the Gucci Changemakers x CFDA Scholars by Design Award. It is given to two high school seniors who have an interest in design, with eligibility for up to four years. Each receives a $20,000 scholarship per year for four years (up to $80,000 total).
Both scholarships are part of Gucci Changemakers Scholarship Program in North America.
NotableWinners: Program debuted in 2019
"We have always believed in the importance of creating a more inclusive and diverse industry,"Marco Bizzarri, President and CEO of Gucci, said in a press release."We must invest in and empower the next generation of creatives, designers and leaders."
5. Liz Claiborne Design for Impactful Futures Scholar Award
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Who it's for: In partnership with the Council of Fashion Designers of America, the Liz Claiborne Design for Impactful Futures Scholar Award is awarded to an undergraduate junior. It serves to promote the next generation of fashion. It accepts those who specialize in areas such as womenswear, menswear, accessories, jewelry, textiles, and knitwear.
Type of Program: Scholarship
Grant Amount: $25,000 per person
How many are given out: One per year
How long it lasts: Payment made in one lump sum
When it was founded: 2009
How it works: Those interested are required to design a Liz Claiborne fashion collection portfolio, as well as create a brand strategy. The design portfolio must include all phases of the collection's development, including basic business models and have a sampling of garments that would be used for the collection.
Finalists are selected to present their portfolio to the CFDA Selection Committee in New York. The deadline to apply is March 31, 2020. The CFA only takes school-endorsed applications for this scholarship.
Notable winners: The 2019 winner was Isabel Holden from Marist College. For her portfolio, she told Marist that she designed 12 looks, some of which used garments from her local Goodwill store. In an email to Business Insider, Sara Kozlowski, director of education and professional development at CFDA, explained that Holden "worked with Marist's chemistry department to create a way to safely remove indigo dye from denim and then redye it."
"The prestigious scholarship celebrates the American legacy of Liz Claiborne as a design leader, creative entrepreneur, and pragmatic innovator of fashion while promoting the next generation of fashion's potential to power change and create sustainable futures," the CFDA said in a press release. "As the future of fashion, every choice you make in the design process comes with impacts- environmentally, socially, and ethically."
6. The Kenneth Cole Footwear Innovation Award
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Who it's for: The award is a partnership between Kenneth Cole Productions & the Council of Fashion Designers of America. It's given to those with an interest in design and social consciousness. The award is offered to those with an anticipated graduation date no later than July 2020 from an American, accredited, full-time degree program.
Type of Program: Scholarship
Grant Amount: $50,000 per person
Number of grants awarded: Up to three per year
When it was founded: 2016
How long it lasts: One year
How it works: In addition to the annual stipend, winners of the award are given the opportunity to work alongside Kenneth Cole Production's leadership teams in various different areas of the business. The deadline to apply is Monday, April 13, 2020, and the application must be endorsed by the school — meaning a chair, dean, or program director must approve it.
Notable winners: The previous winner was Sloan Fox, from Kent State University.
"Rich with mentorship, the Kenneth Cole Footwear Innovation Award builds both conceptual and practical skills, while promoting creative consciousness and collaboration,"the CFDA said in a press release.
7. Levi Strauss & Company: The Levi Strauss & Co. Collaboratory
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Who it's for: Each year, the theme of the Collaboratory focuses on "a different sustainability challenge facing the apparel industry." According to the website, this year, Levi Strauss & Co. selected "leaders who have inventive, tangible solutions for reducing the climate impact of the apparel industry in one of four areas: raw materials, product design, manufacturing or consumer use."
Type of Program: Fellowship
Grant Amount: Up to $50,000 per person
How many are given out: This year, 11 recipients were chosen
How long it lasts: One weekend in San Francisco
When it was founded: 2016
How it works: Fellows go to the Eureka Innovation Lab, where they are able to learn and take inspiration from apparel experts on the topic of sustainability, in addition to developing plans on how to reduce the climate impact of their business. For application updates, check back on their blog.
Notable winners: Pauline Munga, founder and creative director of the ethical fashion company Home Abroad; Ryan Huston, founder and general manager of Huston Textile Company; Rebecca van Bergen, founder and executive director of the nonprofit organization Nest.
"LS&Co. believes that climate change is one of the most important issues of our time and a critical challenge for the apparel industry,"Levi Strauss & Co. said in a press statement."Mitigating climate change and transitioning to a low-carbon, more circular future are vital to the health and well-being of the people who wear and make our products, and the future supply of raw materials needed to make those products. "
