Nurturing Talent: From Fashion Minority Report to the YOOX / King’s Foundation Award
Nurturing Talent: From Fashion Minority Report to the YOOX / King’s Foundation Award
YOOX NET-A-PORTER, home to the world’s leading online luxury, fashion, and style destinations, and The King’s Foundation, His Majesty King Charles III’s charitable foundation, recently announced the third edition of The Modern Artisan—an initiative dedicated to nurturing emerging fashion talent. This transformative nine-month paid training programme immerses participants in responsible design and craftsmanship principles. After a meticulous selection process, six trainees embarked on this journey, resulting in a luxury capsule collection set to retail exclusively on NET-A-PORTER in the second half of 2024.
Of the six trainees, three included some of Fashion Minority Report’s very own: Flavia-Maria Nistor, Arielle Uno-Ekwang, and Sarah Jane Sleeba. Their journeys, from the support of Fashion Minority Report to the intense Modern Artisan programme, show what can happen when creativity is given room to breathe.
Flavia created a capsule collection inspired by the misty beauty of the Scottish Highlands near Balmoral. “The collection celebrates nature and well-being,” she explains, drawing on the watercolour works of Queen Victoria and Carl Haag. Her pieces use responsibly sourced British wool and natural dyes, with every detail honouring traditional craftsmanship while adding a modern perspective. Romanian smocking, a handcrafted technique from her homeland, is woven into the collection. It’s more than an aesthetic choice; it’s about keeping endangered skills alive and honouring cultural heritage.
The YOOX / King’s Foundation Award gave Flavia the opportunity to delve deeper into sustainability. “It allowed me to consolidate and deepen my understanding of sustainable fashion,” she says. This wasn’t just about fabric choices; it was about designing with intention, crafting a story, and connecting with NET-A-PORTER’s audience. Looking forward, Flavia plans to keep working with Romanian artisans, blending old traditions with new ideas to keep cultural craftsmanship alive.
Arielle also took inspiration from the Highlands, but her interpretation is different. Her pieces aren’t just comfortable—they’re meant to nurture. “We were inspired by the Scottish Highlands, Balmoral, and the royal art collections to create a luxury sustainable capsule that not only made the wearer feel comforted but also offered healing properties,” she explains. Arielle’s lounge suit, naturally dyed, is all about well-being. It’s more than clothing—it’s about creating a sense of calm.
The programme taught Arielle to see the bigger picture: how every design choice reverberates throughout the system. “I learned how to have a holistic approach to design and how your choices as a designer affect the system as a whole,” she shares. With this knowledge, Arielle is now looking to address textile waste in West Africa during her Master’s at Central Saint Martins. She’s not just designing clothes—she wants to make a difference. “I now have the confidence to make things I never have before,” she says, ready to work alongside nature as her partner.
Sarah’s collection also found its spark in the quiet landscapes of the Scottish Highlands, but her focus was on blending natural beauty with the region’s artistic history. Inspired by Queen Victoria’s and Carl Haag’s works—and even His Majesty The King’s paintings—Sarah wanted to channel that respect for the countryside into wearable pieces. Natural dyeing, British wool, and a meditative connection to nature—it’s a collection that’s about creating balance.
“The YOOX / King’s Foundation Award was a transformative experience,” says Sarah. Mentored by names like Mentored by organisations like Harris Tweed and people such as Shakaila, she learnt how to navigate the line between commercial needs and creative vision. Her brand, Sarah Sleeba, aims to bridge the gap between art and fashion, staying true to craftsmanship while keeping it relevant.
All three designers have something in common: their time with Fashion Minority Report was the launchpad they needed. The platform gave them confidence, direction, and a community that had their back. “The FMR’s mentoring programme provided invaluable guidance, helping me navigate the industry with a stronger sense of purpose,” Flavia recalls. For Arielle, it was about understanding her next steps: “The FMR gave me a keen understanding of how to navigate through the industry and the advice from the mentors helped me realise my vision.” Sarah emphasises the community aspect, saying, “Fashion Minority Report was the crucial next step I took after completing the Modern Artisan programme to find the guidance, support, and community I needed to advance my career.”
These stories aren’t just about personal milestones—they’re about the impact of platforms like Fashion Minority Report and the Modern Artisan programme. These initiatives provide young designers with the tools, skills, and principles of sustainability that the industry needs. They create a space for talent to grow, backed by mentorship and the chance to collaborate with other creatives.
As the industry changes, the journeys of Flavia, Arielle, and Sarah highlight why training programmes and supportive networks are vital. Their success is a reminder: with the right opportunities, new talent can flourish, making fashion that’s both beautiful and responsible. Flavia, Arielle, and Sarah aren’t just creating clothes—they’re helping shape a more thoughtful future for fashion.
If you are a designer seeking opportunities to further your craft, there are several prestigious awards you can apply for in 2025. Consider the International Woolmark Prize, which celebrates innovative uses of wool in fashion, or the ANDAM Fashion Award, offering significant funding and mentorship to emerging talent. You could also explore the ELLE UK Generation Next Prize, designed to spotlight and support rising British designers, or the BFC/GQ Designer Fashion Fund, which provides financial backing and expert guidance for menswear brands. These opportunities can provide invaluable support to take your designs to the next level.