Net-A-Porter has enhanced its mentorship programme in collaboration with Mr Porter to support three new designers.
- The initiative is part of the Vanguard programme, aiming to nurture future designers, innovators, and tastemakers.
- Selected designers include Diotima, Liberowe, and Kartik Research, chosen for their commitment to sustainable design.
- The programme now includes two-year mentorships and digital ID technology in collections.
- Net-A-Porter and Mr Porter provide bespoke guidance and support, with mentors from global industry experts.
Net-A-Porter, in collaboration with Mr Porter, has expanded its Vanguard mentorship programme to support emerging design talent. This initiative aims to nurture the next generation of designers, innovators, and tastemakers, highlighting the company’s dedication to fostering creativity in the fashion industry.
This year’s programme features three distinct designers: Diotima, Liberowe, and Kartik Research. Each was selected for their unique approach to design and their commitment to sustainability, which aligns with the programme’s values. These designers will showcase their talents through exclusive capsule collections, available from this week.
The mentorship offers two-year guidance, extending beyond the previous one-year term, and introduces digital ID technology in collections. This technology enables customers to access detailed information about the design and provenance of each item, as well as receive styling tips and care advice.
Throughout the programme, designers receive one-on-one mentorship from a panel of global industry experts. Additionally, they benefit from bespoke guidance from sustainability consultants at Create Sustain and business support from both Net-A-Porter and Mr Porter.
Kate Benson, Net-A-Porter’s buying director, expressed pride in the expanded Vanguard programme, emphasising the tailored mentorship provided for both men’s and women’s design. She highlighted the designers’ distinct design DNA and their dedication to a responsible future.
Mentors this year include Alison Loehnis, interim chief executive and president of Net-A-Porter and Mr Porter, and other industry figures such as Greg Chait, Lynette Nylander, and Julie Ragolia, who bring diverse expertise to the programme.
The designers come from varied backgrounds: Diotima, founded by Caribbean-born, New York-based Rachel Scott, incorporates Jamaican handcrafts like crochet; Liberowe, based in London, blends luxury tailoring with references to Indian menswear and 1960s-70s Paris fashion; Kartik Research, established by Kartik Kumra, collaborates with Indian artisans to create limited-edition clothing inspired by local styles.
Alongside the Vanguard programme, the Education Fund, in its third year, has expanded its partnership with Net-A-Porter and Mr Porter. This fund supports final-year students in the UK with financial aid and mentoring, this year selecting students from notable institutions such as Glasgow School of Art and Central Saint Martins.
Net-A-Porter’s expanded mentorship programme underscores its commitment to nurturing sustainable and innovative design talent.
