News

Fashion entrepreneur has designs on USA

The Scholarship provides funding for Simeon to travel across America for up to four months, giving him the chance to experience the US-lifestyle and identify opportunities to forge links and grow his business.

Simeon found out about the scheme through Nottingham Trent University's enterprise unit, The Hive, from where he has run Bantum since he graduated from a Design Studies degree in 2003. Simeon said: "Im greatly inspired by hip hop, and UK street culture is inspired by American culture, so my attraction to the award was instant.

"Foremost, for Bantum, I'm setting up meetings with key fashion buyers in the US and by the time my trip is over I aim to have a significant US stockist list. I also have some links with people who run fashion labels over there so we're planning to do a small scale show in New York to promote Bantum.

"Part of the fun of Bantum is getting people involved and we've done a number of t-shirt making workshops in youth centres in Nottingham and Wales. During my trip I'm hoping to hold similar events in places like Compton in California, which has a very diverse population. I'll also be looking to promote the other Nottingham designers, illustrators and musicians that I work with."

Chris Hall, business manager at The Hive, said: "Simeon will be a fantastic ambassador for Nottingham. He is a very talented and inspirational entrepreneur and will relish the opportunity to develop his business and promote the city's creative industries."

Chairman of the scholarship scheme, Lord Lieutenant Sir Andrew Buchanan, said: "Simeon will be learning a lot about his capabilities during his time away, mixing with different people and organising and executing what is often a daunting itinerary. He is a very deserving recipient of this Scholarship and we wish him well on his travels."

Source:www.ntu.ac.uk|

[back]|