GFF launches Black Excellence prize, Bianca Saunders joins judges

By

Sandra Halliday

Published
Apr 7, 2021

The Graduate Fashion Foundation has linked up with FACE: Fashion Academics Creating Equality, to launch the Black Excellence Prize 2021.

The new prize aims to “make visible, the spectrum of black excellence within a framework of diverse black and brown creativity”.

It’s open to “black and brown final-year students in any BA fashion-related course in the UK”. The winner will be revealed at the annual Graduate Fashion Week Awards on June 18, following two rounds of judging panels.

It’s the first time in the group’s 30-year history that a prize is open to all further education institutions and not just those that are members of the Graduate Fashion Foundation. And students are able to nominate themselves by submitting their final projects alongside video or written statements in support of their work.

The judging panel includes NewGen Prize-winning and LVMH Award-shortlisted designer Bianca Saunders, creative director and cultural curator Harris Elliott, and designer, educator and co-founder of FACE Andrew Ibi.

Saunders said that “visibility is the key for black and brown students. To see people that are doing well and showing how high they can aim is important. As a student I was determined to break ceilings and not allow anything to stop me as I thought a younger version of me would be inspired to see someone in a position that is progressive for the industry. The Black Excellence prize is an amazing platform.”