Submission:
At NEXT, we have been passionate about fashion since 1982. We continually seek out opportunities to evolve the brand, taking inspiration from anywhere to help us stay relevant and new. We attract a wide diversity of customers - selling many different aesthetics from grunge and preppy to streetwear and tailoring.
We’re always one step ahead. In fact, we’re already creating the clothes you’ll see in our stores in a year. To help support our product development process, we look to catwalks, other brands, new product types, influencers, TV shows, exhibitions, celebrities, music, street style, trade fairs and many other reference points. It takes great instincts, an entrepreneurial spirit and excellent communication skills to deliver products that we know our wide customer base will love.
We are looking for the next generation of designers, buyers and stylists who have the unique skills needed to look at the world and discover the new trends everyone will be wearing in the future. People who can come up with amazing new colour palettes, fabric intel, and key items and then execute them into the ranges, to captivate and inspire our customers.
Criteria:
We’re looking for a portfolio that showcases:
Exceptional creativity, a forward-thinking perspective and innovative ideas.
An elevated taste level - highly compelling designs with excellent attention to detail.
Expertise in the projection of future trends, demonstrating a strong body of research from multiple pillars.
How the ideas can be adapted to captivate a diverse customer audience.
(Portfolios can be menswear, womenswear, a mixture or unisex around Design, Buying, Merchandising.)
Prize:
An interview to join our trainee programme
4-week paid work placement
£500 cash prize
Process:
The NEXT Trend Forecasting Award will be judged in two stages. All nominated students will have to submit a supporting statement for scrutiny at the pre-event shortlisting by industry experts.
Part 1:
Monday 20th May 2024, 18:00 hours - Deadline for submission, academic staff are to nominate 2 final year students.
Selection:
An Industry expert will shortlist 12 students from the entries submitted. Thursday 30th May, 2024 - The names of the shortlisted students will be announced.
Part 2: Judging
Awards Judging will be onsite at GFW in central London. Shortlisted students must bring their full entry for the final judging. This can be physical work plus digital elements if required. The judging will be an opportunity to talk through the students work, ideas and answer questions from the judges.
All nominated students must attend the full judging day during GFW and ensure they attend all talks, meetings and judging sessions as well as the end of day Awards Presentation and celebratory networking event. Winners will receive promotion across the GFF networks.