In a collaboration that will excite many, fashion heavy weight Wales Bonner and celebrated footballer David Alaba team up to launch an internship scheme in association with Mentoring Matters. The programme will support two graduates from Black or Black mixed-heritage backgrounds, offering 6-months of design and communications experience at the Wales Bonner studio in London. Partnerships such as Alaba and Bonner contribute to the progressive and positive actions being made by Mentoring Matters. Striving to build a fashion industry that affirms the experiences and identities of underrepresented students, the programme is furthering a sense of belonging.
Since graduating Central Saint Martins in 2024, Grace Wales Bonner has been widely recognised for her unique combination of luxurious European tailoring and spirit of the Black Atlantic. Wales Bonner embodies a multiplicity of traditions, blended histories are romanticised and presented on the body. The designer commented “I am very glad to play a part in this initiative with David Alaba and Mentoring Matters – it is truly rewarding to be able to support these young talents and to continue supporting diversity in the industry.” The vision of Wales Bonner and the brand’s Afro-diasporic style has attracted attention far beyond the fashion industry, with her clothes being worn by the likes of Jude Bellingham and Mo Salah.
Among the football royalty sporting Wales Bonner is David Alaba. The Bayern Munich and Real Madrid star grew up in a lively household surrounded by African American music and quickly developed a love for fashion. Alaba has previously discussed the sense of community that football creates, and the equality established once your studs dig into the grass of the pitch. It seems that fashion holds the same sense of unity for Alaba, a unity he seeks to nourish through the internship programme. While fashion has been recognised as a part of football culture since the major names of the last millennium, such as George Best and David Beckham, Alaba seems to be returning the favour to the fashion industry. Alaba commented, “I’m aware that there are many young, underrepresented Black fashion graduates who possess the level of fashion excellence required to work at an incredible brand like Wales Bonner. However, they still remain underrepresented in the industry. My hope is that this internship enables these young Black students to showcase their excellence to the world!”
Mentoring Matters is the non-profit, global organisation that is working to create equal opportunity within creative industries. Working to make meaningful systemic changes and opportunities for Minority Ethnic Backgrounds, Mentoring Matters is building a reliable support system and accessible network. This will cultivate a better informed and more positive industry where everyone will be able to thrive. The organisation recently stated, “together we strive to redress the balance of equity and opportunity within the creative industries, championing a more inclusive, informed and exciting workplace for us all.”
Successful candidates will receive access to the Mentoring Matters Alumni programme that provides long-term support. Wales Bonner, David Alaba, and Mentoring Matters seek to inspire creatives and reshape a more inclusive future. To find out more and apply visit https://walesbonner.com/pages/careers.
