Australian retailer Forever New has invested over $20,000 in one gifted fashion pupil.
The brand has confirmed final year fashion student Anna Pipkorn as the first ever recipient of its RMIT University scholarship program.
The coveted prize package will see Forever New contribute $20,000 towards Pipkorn's tuition fees and design collection expenses.
The sum is in addition to an invitation for Pipkorn to travel to Paris as part of a 12-month contract in the design team at Forever New.
Pipkorn will also be invited to design a capsule collection in collaboration with Forever New during 2014.
The Forever New Scholarship is the first of its kind, offering "the most significant contribution to the RMIT fashion faculty to date".
The scholarship will be awarded annually to one design student on completion of their third year of studies.
Commenting on the inaugural award announcement RMIT deputy head of fashion and textiles and associate professor Karen Webster said it marks a milestone for the institute.
“The Forever New scholarship program is a wonderful opportunity for RMIT fashion design students to launch their career. We are thrilled to be involved and look forward to watching Anna prosper with the support of Forever New.”
Forever New founder Amanda Goenka said she hopes the tie-up will help nurture Australia's fledgling fashion designers.
“The fashion business in Australia is more competitive than ever and we recognise that young aspiring designers in our local community need industry mentoring and more opportunities,” she said.
“RMIT has one of the best fashion design faculties in the world and we are excited to support local talent coming through their innovative program. Anna, who grew up in Ballarat, is an outstanding student with a promising future and we are thrilled to offer her this scholarship.”
Pipkorn will join the Forever New brand team in January next year.
Her accolades to date include being nominated for the City of Ballarat Youth Design Award, winning the Regional Next Generation Exhibition and receiving the Best Upcoming Talent Award at the APEX Victorian Design Finals in 2010.