Deniz Nikol is currently in her third year studying BA Fashion Design at Plymouth College of Art and has been interning at Makers HQ, with support from the Drapers’ x UKFT Bursary programme.

UKFT member and education partner Makers HQ is a fashion and textiles sampling studio providing high-quality services to the fashion and textile industry, based in Plymouth.

“I am extremely pleased with my internship so far,” said Deniz @deniz.nikol. “Makers HQ let me explore all and any opportunities that I was interested in and wanted to try out. This ranged from assisting at their teaching studio to helping with their day to day manufacturing tasks. They are not only an incredible business but also an amazing supportive group of people that are a joy to work with. I am learning so much, experiencing the industry and finding my way and what I would like to do after graduating.

“I have been as proactive as I could be and now they are even considering me for a position as a teaching assistant and a machinist.

“I am so happy there and it really proved to me that the fashion industry is the right one for me, this is the first time that I loved coming into work every day.

I would like to genuinely thank UKFT and Drapers again since I would have never been able to do this without your help, I am so grateful for this.”

UKFT and The Drapers’ Company are working together to support fashion and textile students across the UK to achieve good quality internships through the scheme.

Financial support from the Drapers’ Company is available to ten students annually to take up internship opportunities they may otherwise struggle to afford.

UKFT is providing mentoring, guidance, and networking opportunities to each student to ensure their internships are safe, enjoyable and valuable.

The scheme is part of UKFT’s work to increase the industry knowledge and experience of graduates, as well as opening up new routes into the sector.

Find out more about the bursary scheme here.

FIND OUT MORE ABOUT UKFT’S WORK WITH UNIVERSITIES AND COLLEGES