Underrepresented talent shines in The Wall Group’s fashion incubator

Back in January 2023, The Wall Group launched the third iteration of its six-month incubator to pair up-and-coming creatives with artists represented by the global talent agency. This time around, the scheme focused on London-based talent from diverse backgrounds, offering access to mentors working at the cutting edge of fashion, and opening the notoriously-exclusive industry’s doors up to the next generation.

Now, the incubator has come to a close, with The Wall Group’s Ali Bird – senior vice president, global talent strategy and incubation for WME Fashion – calling its global expansion “incredibly rewarding”.

“Core to The Wall Group Incubator is democratisation and access,” Bird adds, “creating opportunity for diverse and highly skilled creatives from underrepresented backgrounds, and providing the insight and tools needed to succeed within an industry with traditionally high barriers of entry.”

In this case, the creators included Chaniel Corinne Abwola (specialising in styling), Crystal White (make-up), Jessica Hau (hair), and Nana-Yaw Mensah (set design). Each brought their own twist to a globetrotting creative brief as the culmination of the mentorship, guided along the way by Man About Town magazine fashion director Way Perry, celebrity make-up artist Naoko Scintu, hair expert Stefan Bertin, and acclaimed set designer Penny Mills, respectively.

“I couldn’t be more proud of our entire London team and four mentors Naoko Scintu, Penny Mills, Stefan Bertin, and Way Perry, whose hard work, relationships, and mentorship has made Cycle 3 such a success,” says Bird. “Seeing the visions of our mentees come to life has been nothing short of inspiring, and I look forward to watching each of them put all they’ve learnt over the past six months into practice as they continue on in this next chapter of their careers.”

Take a look at the resulting shoot pulled together by the mentees in the exclusive video below.