Self-Portrait unveils Central Saint Martins scholarship

By

Barbara Santamaria

Published
Nov 15, 2018

London-based womenswear brand Self-Portrait, whose designs have been worn by the likes of Kate Middleton, Michelle Obama and Beyoncé, will be supporting five “outstanding” MA Fashion students at Central Saint Martins with a scholarship and mentoring programme.

Founded by Han Chong, a Central Saint Martins graduate himself, the brand has committed to a five-year programme that will support a total of five students, one each year, until 2023. The Self-Portrait Scholarship will be open to all students on the MA Fashion course at Central Saint Martins, and provide additional support and advice from Chong and the Self-Portrait team.

Launching this month, the £27,780 scholarship will be a contribution towards tuition fees and living expenses.

Fabio Piras, MA course director at CSM commented: “This extraordinary gesture is made particularly meaningful as it comes from a designer whose young business is extremely successful and whose wish to help others to achieve higher goals is demonstrated in the five-year commitment to provide a comprehensive financial, as well as vocational support, for postgraduate study on the MA Fashion course at Central Saint Martins, UAL."

Han Chong, who founded Self-Portrait in 2013 and has built the brand into an international business with over 350 stockists including Selfridges, Bergdorf Goodman and Harrods, added: “I feel honoured to support the emerging talent that Central Saint Martins so brilliantly nurtures year after year, and I’m delighted to be able to support to the talent of tomorrow.

“The education and the development of young designers and their unique talent is something that I care about deeply. I am passionate about helping creative minds develop their business capabilities and foster commercially viable brands that will stand the test of time. I strongly believe in the Central Saint Martins’ ethos of guided experimentation and encouraging students to explore individuality whilst being challenged to innovate to the highest standards.”

The fashion brand said the scholarship will act as first step towards supporting the creative arts and emerging designers. This year also marked another milestone for Self-Portrait with the opening of its debut store in London in Mayfair.