MMU visit is his first since being appointed Ambassadorial President of the British Fashion Council
DAVID Beckham has recently been appointed Ambassadorial President for the British Fashion Council (BFC) – a title long overdue, in our opinion, as the former Manchester United star has long been considered amongst the global fashion elite, even after that ding-dong over a sarong.
As part of his new role supporting the BFC across their education outreach programmes, Beckham was welcomed by Manchester Metropolitan University to the Manchester Fashion Institute to meet with promising fashion students and introduce the BFC's 'Saturday Clubs'.
In what was an incredible opportunity for the city’s young fashion talent, Beckham was also accompanied by some of the industry's most prominent people, including American Vogue's Sarah Mower and British Vogue Editor, Edward Enninful.
Together they met with staff and students to find out about the breadth of teaching projects offered to those interested in a fashion career - from business to design and technology.
For Beckham, it was an opportunity to help the British Fashion Council reach young talent from all backgrounds across the UK, including Sebastian Collinge, a final-year BA Fashion Buying and Merchandising student, who presented his shoe care products ‘Attirecare’ to the visitors (Beckham reportedly took some of his samples away with him).
Sebastian said: “Today was an absolutely incredible experience to be able to present something you have worked so hard on to such prolific members of the industry. Not to mention David Beckham. I’m so grateful for the experience and I loved every minute of it."
“I have long been passionate about British style, fashion and craftsmanship...
Manchester Metropolitan is the first university David Beckham has visited in his new role.
“We were delighted to host David Beckham and the rest of the BFC team at Manchester Metropolitan University," said Jo Jenkinson, Principal Lecturer in Fashion at Manchester Fashion Institute, Manchester Metropolitan University.
“It was a fantastic opportunity for our students and the young people we work with through the Saturday Club and other outreach projects, to network and interact with some of the industry’s biggest influencers.”
Beckham and other BFC guests met representatives from Manchester Fashion Institute’s Fashion and Business Saturday Club, a unique opportunity for students aged between thirteen and fifteen-years-old to join a free, weekly Saturday programme.
Organised in partnership with the National Art & Design Saturday Club and the BFC, they allow teens opportunities to explore a career in the fashion industry beyond simply design.
The guests also met the participants from the Portrait Youth project, which runs in collaboration with members of Manchester Youth Council.
The new job feels like a natural progression for David Beckham, who has long shown a love for the fashion industry. Speaking on his ambassadorial position, he said:
“Taking on this new role is an incredibly proud moment for me,” he said. “I have long been passionate about British style, fashion and craftsmanship and this role gives me the chance to get under the skin of an industry I love.”
