Kurt Geiger, a British footwear company, is stepping up its commitment to diversity in the fashion sector with an ambitious expansion of its Business by Design Academy. The company pledged to hire up to half of the program’s graduates at its headquarters, representing a considerable investment in young talent from underrepresented backgrounds.
The academy, which opened last year with 20 students, will now accommodate twice that amount due to tremendous demand. The program, which is based at Kurt Geiger’s London headquarters, provides participants with an in-depth introduction to many aspects of the fashion industry, including design, marketing, finance, and logistics.
Kurt Geiger’s CEO, Neil Clifford, described the academy as a means of democratizing access to the fashion business. “We want to break down the walls and open up the creative industry to all,” he added, drawing similarities to his own unusual journey to success in the industry.
Kurt Geiger’s charitable arm, the Kindness Foundation, funds the program, which runs from September to April. It pays all participants’ expenses and provides paid job experience at the London Living Wage.
While the effort has received support from figures such as model and activist Adwoa Aboah, it is unclear how this method will affect Kurt Geiger’s operations and the larger industry. The company’s commitment to employing graduates straight into its headquarters is rare in the industry and, if successful, has the potential to transform recruitment methods.
However, questions remain about the model’s long-term viability and if it can be scaled or replicated by other fashion companies. Kurt Geiger’s academy may serve as a litmus test for future initiatives aimed at increasing inclusion in the industry.
