Studio News - GV Fashion Forward Begins May 2011

NYC luxury designer German Valdivia welcomes the first class of his Fashion Forward program.

NEW YORK, Apr. 21, 2011 – German Valdivia would like to welcome the summer participants for his first annual Fashion Forward program.  The program will officially begin at the studio May 1, 2011 and will run thru July 31, 2011.

German Valdivia’s Fashion Forward program aims to encourage critical awareness of younger entrants into the industry through an alternative yet relevant approach to professional development.  In addition to basic intern tasks, this year’s participants will be exposed to a curriculum of workshops crafted by entrepreneurs, lawyers, designers and professors interested in cultivating a more innovative approach to working in the fashion industry. 

This sophisticated approach challenges fashion industry entrants’ perceptions of “being in fashion” by encouraging awareness of the positive impact they may have on all fashion stakeholders through their day-to-day decisions in and outside of the industry. Workshops will cover issues such as unfair labor concerns or the impact a branding campaign may have on gender and ethnic stereotypes.  The program will culminate with participants presenting their own ideas for a new, innovative fashion business model at the end of July.   

This year’s participants include Audriana Banks (IL), Katalin Karolyi (Washington D.C.), Sarah Stone (CT), Elizabeth Shea (CT), Moira O’Malley (WI), Lindsey Engel (NY), Hayley Grossman (NY), and Kristie Keys (IL).

“This is the exciting stuff of being in fashion,” said Valdivia. “I’m looking forward to working with all of our summer interns.”

For more information of German Valdivia’s Fashion Forward program, please contact the studio at (212) 664-1580.