Forever New grants new contract

Forever New has revealed the latest recipient of its third annual Forever New Scholarship in partnership with RMIT.

Melbourne local Victoria Bliss has been granted the triple-barrelled opportunity.

She will travel to Europe with the Forever New buying team, gain $20,000 towards university fees and a 12-month contract working within the retailer’s design team upon completion of studies.

Forever New brand director Carolyn MacKenzie said the program is mutually beneficial for the retailer.

"We continue to be inspired by the talent of young Australian designers through this program and enchanted by the fresh perspective and level of skill each brings to the Forever New team.

Scholarship applicants undergo three rounds of interviews before a recipient is selected, presenting a portfolio to the Forever New design team including mood boards, technical sketches, research and development boards, illustrations and an example of project development from initial concept to final garment stages .

Forever New head of design Sonya Bachra said Bliss scored highly across the board.

“Victoria’s great enthusiasm really appealed to us, and she presented an impressive creative portfolio with sound tailoring and technical skills.

"She went the extra mile of what was expected, creating a video and brand analysis as additional pieces of work."

Inaugural Forever New Scholarship recipient Anna Pipkorn has been employed in the retailer’s design team for 18 months and was recently promoted from design assistant to junior designer.

In 2015, Pipkorn designed her own capsule collection for Forever New and she continues to play an integral role in mentoring scholarship recipients.

Forever New has a team of over 1,100 employees nationally and a retail footprint spanning over 85 domestic stores.