University of East London Fashion Student Secures Coveted Mentorship
A University of East London fashion student has won a coveted mentorship at (Fashion) Minority Report (FMR), a learning and career development platform which supports underrepresented talent in the fashion industry and creative sector. Shanniya Roshen Warnakulasooriya, who is in the second year of a BA in Fashion Marketing and Communication, has started a 16-week programme with the company.
As part of its Fashioning Emerging Professionals programme, FMR aims to increase diversity within the fashion industry. It says global majority populations, people with disabilities and female professionals often face significant barriers barring them from opportunities in the fashion industry and creative sector.
FMR pairs individuals from such groups with industry professionals for 16 weeks of one-to-one mentoring. The mentees are then given the opportunity of applying for a paid internship at the close of the programme with one of FMR’s partner brands.
Ms Warnakulasooriya, who comes from Sri Lanka, draws on her heritage and culture in her work, but she noted that her home country isn’t well known as a fashion centre, something she wants to change.
She said,
My target is to have a fashion business of my own, so I am so happy to have this mentorship and experience with FMR. It will really help me map my way into the industry. I have to do a lot of things to learn to make this goal a reality, and I really want to gain experience in different fields so that I know what to expect and to prepare myself when I actually get to where I need to.
“I always try to incorporate something about my culture in my work, and how it is different to other Asian cultures, so one of my goals is to show the world the beauty of Sri Lanka too,” she added.
Ms Warnakulasooriya will be paired with Sara Duxbury, Global Head of Learning, Organisational Development and Talent at fashion retailer AllSaints for her initial 16 weeks of mentoring. She’ll then be able to apply for a paid internship role. Previous brand partners who’ve provided internships through FMR include AllSaints, ASOS, the British Fashion Council, Dunhill, FARFETCH, Fred Perry, Lazy Oaf, Orlebar Brown and Pangaia.