LONDON — Gucci has chosen three students from University of the Arts London’s London College of Fashion to receive an academic scholarship as part of its Gucci Changemakers London program.
The initiative aims to support students that are facing financial difficulties in accessing higher education.
This year’s recipients are Malak Bedidi, who will be studying BA (Hons) Fashion Styling and Production; Micah Eghafona will be undoing a BA (Hons) Creative Direction for Fashion degree and Elena Mai Kilminster-Davis, a BA (Hons) Fashion Marketing and Content Creation student.
Last year’s recipients of the scholarship: Joy Buckley, Louisa Kerbouche and Alicia Grilli with the new students.
Courtesy of Gucci
The students were all previously enrolled in the university’s Insights program, which helps underprivileged young people get into the arts.
The students were selected by the deans from London College of Fashion and Kenya Hunt, a Gucci Changemakers London business ambassador and editor in chief of Elle U.K.
“It’s an honor to serve as London Business Ambassador for Gucci Changemakers and a privilege to join London College of Fashion, UAL in selecting a second cohort of scholarship recipients. They are truly remarkable and inspiring young talents and left me feeling hopeful for the future of fashion,” said Hunt, who is also the founder of R.O.O.M. Mentoring, a London-based support system that advocates for greater diversity within the fashion industry by partnering up aspiring creatives with established names within the industry.
Kenya Hunt, editor in chief of Elle U.K.
Dave Benett
Gucci is doubling down on its efforts in the arts. The luxury Italian brand is also supporting three nonprofit organizations such as Rise365, The Advocacy Academy and Art Against Knives by granting 150,000 euros.
This summer, Gucci unveiled its 2023 Gucci Equilibrium Impact Report that highlighted the brand’s sustainability ambitions.
The report stated that 2,892 Gucci employees volunteered 21,062 hours with 100 nongovernmental organizations under the Gucci Changemakers Volunteering Program, granted $600,000 to 12 NGO recipients through the Gucci Changemakers North America Impact Fund, and awarded $280,000 in scholarships to 12 scholars via the Gucci Changemakers North America Scholarship Program.
