Westminster Fashion Design BA Honours students Aliyah Dankwah and James Rowland and Menswear MA students Jamie Backshall and Zeshaan Iqbal have been announced as the next recipients of the 2023/2024 British Fashion Council (BFC) Foundation Scholarships.
The scholarships provide funding to those who have an offer from, or are currently studying for, a MA or BA at a BFC Colleges Council member university. Through its education initiatives, the BFC Foundation aims to underpin and future proof the next generation of creative talent.
Four University of Westminster Fashion students have been selected as recipients of the prestigious scholarships, making Westminster the second most featured university in the current cohort of scholars. All applications are assessed based on talent and need, using information provided during the application process including the applicant’s portfolio and financial circumstances. Shortlisted applications are reviewed by panels consisting of fashion educators and key industry representatives.
Receiving a BFC Foundation BA Scholarship is student Aliyah Dankwah who is studying on the Fashion Design BA Honours course. The BA Scholarship will go towards her course tuition fees with a contribution to course costs or living expenses.
Inspired by the diverse cultures and traditional craftmanship within Ghana, Aliyah’s design aesthetic embraces her Ghanian heritage while incorporating oversized yet feminine menswear. Her personal experience of moving to a new school to pursue textiles and therefore learning to adapt to new environments is a lesson that still motivates her today as she embarks on her second year of study.
Speaking about how it feels to have been awarded the BFC Foundation BA Scholarship, she said: “It means so much to me! I was extremely honoured when I received the news. It has given me a massive confidence boost in terms of really believing in my work, ideas, and skills. It has granted me the drive to push myself creatively and the opportunity to develop my technical and digital skills without limitations.”
James Rowland is also a Fashion Design BA Honours student and a recipient of the BFC Foundation BA Scholarship. During his studies so far at Westminster, James has developed his love for colour and the nuance of this within print . He has also enjoyed adapting traditional forms of pattern cutting to create garments that possess novel and sculptural shapes as well as strength and wearability.
On being awarded a BFC Foundation BA Scholarship, James commented: “I am still blown away and extremely grateful to have received this scholarship. It is recognition like no other! I’m really excited to keep on creating work, using this amazing support to help me execute it.”
Jamie Backshall, a Menswear MA student, is a recipient of the BFC Foundation MA Final Year Scholarship which is offered to students in their final year to cover costs to produce their final collections.
Jamie is a London-based menswear designer who aims to spark meaningful conversations and challenge what he sees as society’s rigid notions of masculinity through his work. He has a strong passion for storytelling which he explores through print and draws on his personal experiences as a basis for his collections.
Commenting on his selection as a 2023/2024 BFC Foundation scholar, he said: "Getting awarded the BFC MA scholarship truly is a dream come true. To be recognised by such a prestigious organisation and for them to believe in me and my aspirations is something I’m truly grateful for. Bring on the year ahead!"
Zeshaan Iqbal who is also a Menswear MA student is the recipient of the DIOR MEN MA Scholarship. The Scholarship, funded by DIOR, is in its fourth year and covers contribution to course tuition fees, course costs and living expenses. Additionally, scholars are provided with a direct point of contact from the DIOR MEN design team, to provide advice and mentoring support for the duration of their scholarship.
Born and raised in London, Zeshaan’s design practice involves experimenting with shape and utilising distinctive qualities of fabrics to achieve unique silhouettes. He views his work as an ongoing dialogue concerned with contrast, inspired by the many different parts of his life that he deems are at odds with each other.
Speaking about how it feels to have been awarded the DIOR MEN MA Scholarship, Zeshaan said: "It's an indescribable honour to have been awarded. It still feels as surreal as it did when I was given the news! I'm incredibly grateful to the BFC and for all the support and opportunities I've received so far.”
Find out more about Fashion courses at the University of Westminster.
