PAUL SMITH’S DESIGNS ON NURTURING FASHION TALENT

Monday 2 June 2008

Emerging fashion designers at Nottingham Trent University will be given the chance to hone their talents through a unique scholarship agreement with Paul Smith Ltd. The international link-up will see top calibre students from the university’s School of Art and Design, and the Bunka Women’s University and Musashino Art University in Tokyo, being funded to take part in an exclusive study exchange programme.

The Paul Smith Japan/UK Scholarship Scheme, which is set to run for five years initially, will see two scholarships awarded to Japanese students to study on the one year MA Fashion Futures programme at Nottingham Trent University. Four Nottingham Trent University students, meanwhile, will go to the Bunka Women’s University for ten weeks to gain a firsthand insight into the Japanese fashion industry.

Paul Smith has strong links with Nottingham Trent University and in 2006 officially reopened the multimillion pound Bonington Building – the School of Art and Design’s purpose-built centre for creativity.

“These unique scholarships further develop both our tradition of strong relationships with industry and our excellent international links, while opening up opportunities for the brightest and most innovative students from the UK and Japan,” said Ann Priest, Dean of Nottingham Trent University’s School of Art and Design.

She said: “They will benefit hugely from experiencing the different design practices, methods and theories of another culture; it will allow them to develop their talents in ways that may otherwise have not been possible. Paul Smith has always been keen to help young fashion designers and potential future entrepreneurs, particularly when it means supporting creative talent from the two countries which have really helped to establish his brand as a global success story.”

Nottingham-born Paul Smith, opened his first boutique in the city in 1970, now has 14 shops throughout England and more than 200 in Japan where his label outsells every other European designer. He remains fully involved in the Japanese business, designing the clothes, choosing the fabrics, approving the shop locations and overseeing the development within the company.

"I am very pleased to be in a position where I can give what is hopefully an exciting opportunity to students. I think one of the most important experiences in life is travel, and the way this can open your eyes to the world. It certainly has been one of mine." Paul Smith

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