The International Apparel Federation (IAF) and the International Foundation of Fashion Technology Institutes (IFFTI) have decided to jointly put in efforts to establish a better connect between business and education in the fashion sector. IAF secretary general Han Bekke and IFFTI secretary Commodore Vijay Chaturvedi recently signed a memorandum of cooperation in Tokyo during IFFTI’s 16th annual conference.
IAF’s education committee of representatives from the industry is chaired by Souraya Bouwmans, Dean of Amsterdam Fashion Institute, who is also member of the Executive Committee of IFFTI. Both institutes have reached a consensus on working closely for IAF’s awards program. IFFTI members will promote the opportunity of participating in the IAF student award to their graduating students.
Students will enter the competition with their graduation work in the categories design, product development and branding. The prize will be a half year fully paid internship at a fashion company.
They, together will also organise the IAF designer award. IFFTI members will invite alumni to apply for the award and to nominate one designer not already internationally known but nationally strong, with a maximum of 5 years of professional experience. The winner of the IAF Designer Award is given a fully paid visit to the IAF World Fashion Convention the next year. There the winner can present his or her winning collection on the catwalk to representatives of industry and press.
IAF is the world’s leading federation for apparel manufacturers, their associations, apparel retailers and the supporting industry. Whereas, IFFTI is an international body comprising of leading international fashion universities and schools focused on helping its members in upgrading their programs, assist in bringing about sharp professionalism in the structure and operation of the fashion industry in their respective countries.
Iafnet.eu
