May 2023, in honour and celebration of art, culture, fashion and history, our BFC Foundation Co-Chairs, Narmina Marandi and Tania Fares, hosted a trip to Paris to spend a day with DIOR.
The day consisted of privately guided tours of the Haute Couture Salon, the Haute Couture Workshop and La Galarie Dior. Culminating with a talk from Justine Picardie and a dinner hosted by Cordelia de Castellane, DIOR Maison Artistic Director, and Olivier Bialobos, Deputy Managing Director of Global Communication and Image at DIOR Couture.
It was a fascinating exploration into the House, blending creativity, craftmanship and design alongside social, environmental and political reference points throughout the 20th Century. We would like to thank DIOR enormously for this opportunity and for their continued support to the BFC Foundation Scholarship Programme.
The latest recipients of the DIOR MEN MA Scholarship was awarded to Annabel Ballance, Royal College of Art and Stanley Bryan, Central Saint Martins. The MA Scholarship, funded by DIOR, is in its second iteration, and third year. It covers contribution to the course tuition fees, course costs and living expenses. Scholars are additionally provided with a direct point of contact from the Dior Men’s design team, to provide advice and mentoring support for the duration of their scholarship.
The BFC works to underpin the next generation of creative talent through its education initiatives. Supporting students is imperative to maintaining the UK’s position as the birthplace of global talent.
The BFC Foundation provides financial support to a number of students to complete their studies. Scholarships are offered to those undertaking their MA or BA courses at a BFC Colleges Council member college. All applications are assessed based on talent and financial need, using information given in the application, the portfolio, the applicant’s financial circumstances and references received. Shortlisted applications are reviewed by a panel of industry representatives.
A special thank you must go to the team at Dior for such a wonderful trip: Sydney Finch, Olivier Flaviano and Xindi Yu.