Global Talent - Fashion designers

In this article, we take an in depth look at the requirements that need to be met for endorsement under the ‘Exceptional Promise’ and ‘Exceptional Talent’ criteria for talented individuals who work in the fashion industry.

The Global Talent route

The Global Talent route is for those who are highly skilled in the fields of technology, science, humanities, architecture, the arts and film and television.

As part of the Global Talent visa application process, applicants must receive an endorsement from the relevant Endorsing Body in their field confirming that they meet the Exceptional Promise (for potential leaders in their relevant field) or Exceptional Talent (for recognised leaders in their relevant field) criteria, unless they have won an eligible prestigious prize. 

The relevant Endorsing Body for fashion designers is the Arts Council. The British Fashion Council make fashion-related assessments on behalf of the Arts Council.

The Arts Council's Global Talent guidance sets out that Exceptional Promise is for those who ‘have the potential to become leading practitioners or recognised experts in their field’ While Exceptional Talent is for established world leaders.

Those who have received an endorsement can go on to make an immigration application. If approved, they can be granted permission in the UK for up to five years. Settlement can be reached after either five years or three years (on the accelerated route), under the rules currently in place. 

The mandatory criteria and evidence

In order to qualify for an endorsement as a fashion designer, an applicant must have a leading design role in the fashion business and show regular professional engagement in the fashion industry in the last five years. Applicants must also demonstrate that they:

• Are professionally engaged in producing work of outstanding quality which has been sold or exhibited internationally, either through catwalk presentations or other exhibitions (if applying under Exceptional Talent criteria) or which have had recognition with leading industry players (if applying under Exceptional Promise criteria); and
• Have a substantial track record in more than one country (if applying under Exceptional Talent criteria) or a developing track record in one or more countries (if applying under Exceptional Promise criteria).

In order to demonstrate that they have met the mandatory criteria, applicants applying under the Exceptional Promise criteria must provide evidence of at least two of the following:

• At least two examples of recent UK or international media recognition, online or in print, such as features, articles and reviews from national publications or broadcasting companies or on social media of the applicant’s collections in one or more countries including their country of residence.
• Proof of having received support and sponsorship through specific support schemes in the field of fashion.
• Evidence of one or more orders placed by UK or international luxury retailers and boutiques.
• Recognition by leading industry players such as internationally renowned fashion designers, fashion media, retailers, brands, or Graduate Fashion Week (for an exceptional graduating collection).

Professional engagement

In many of the other fields, the relevant Endorsing Body specifies that graduates are often not eligible for an endorsement under Exceptional Promise.

However, fashion designers who are attending or who have recently finished university should be encouraged by the phrase ‘Graduate Fashion Week’. This indicates that they can actually use their university experience within their application, and they may be eligible for an Exceptional Promise endorsement. The Arts Council have previously confirmed however that recognition by leading industry players is required to specify their submission should be considered exceptional.

Evidence to provide

Media recognition

Applicants often rely on media recognition, as this is usually the easiest requirement to demonstrate.

Event listings or advertisements should not be used to meet this requirement and any evidence relied upon must be from an independent source. Applicants can rely on evidence from social media to meet this requirement, provided that the articles are by ‘prominent bloggers or key opinion leaders’.

The media recognition should be about the applicant’s collections, rather than about the applicant themselves. If the applicant has given an interview talking about their background and achievements, ideally there would be some form of discussion regarding their design work for this to be counted as media recognition.

Support and sponsorship

The specific support and sponsorship schemes applicable include the British Fashion Council's support schemes, the Fashion East support scheme, the Sarabande Foundation, support by Centre for Fashion Enterprise, or similar support from an international counterpart to the British Fashion Council.

Evidence should be provided of the particular scheme, including the name and details of the scheme, the dates that the support/sponsorship was received and the organisation that awarded it. This may be in the form of a letter of support or any previously received agreements.

Evidence of orders placed

Applicants often rely on evidence of orders placed as a relatively straightforward attribute to meet.

Ideally, evidence should be provided of the current number of outlets or stockists of the business’s products, the top five stockists, when the sales were made and, if required, a breakdown of sales. This may be in the form of a letter or a number of invoices.

Recognition of ‘leading industry players’

Applicants should consider which industry players they should choose, and they should provide some evidence as to how they can be regarded as such, such as links to their profiles.

If the industry player is providing a letter to evidence that they know the applicant and their work, it should be separate from the three letters of support that are required to be on behalf of an organisation.

Awards

Although evidence of winning or being nominated for awards is only included as applicable evidence of the Exceptional Talent criteria, it can be a great way of demonstrating how an Exceptional Promise applicant meets the mandatory criteria.

For instance, being nominated for an award that was reviewed by experts and included a catwalk show may demonstrate both of the mandatory criteria. 

In many cases leading industry players have come to recognise applicants because of their roles in competitions. If possible, this should be linked in the evidence that they provide.

How can we help?

The Global Talent visa is one of the most flexible immigration options. You are not tied to a particular role or employer and can pursue your own interests.

The endorsement process can be challenging, as applicants must demonstrate that their work is world- leading or potentially world- leading.

Our team of immigration specialists can:

• Carry out a thorough review of your eligibility;
• Offer hands-on support when preparing and submitting both your endorsement and immigration applications; and
• Advise upon the documents that you need to ensure your application has the best chances of success.