Yesterday, the British Beauty Council, Sephora and UNiDAYS were pleased to welcome the winners of its Shadow Board competition to their first workshop
After a month-long selection process and more than 400 applicants, the winners of the Student Shadow Board were welcomed to their first 1:1 mentoring session with industry leaders.
The winners of the competition, which saw them pitch ideas on how to shape the future of beauty, joined Jamie Genevieve and experts from both the Council and Sephora to build out their initiatives designed to solve the industry’s biggest challenges.
On the first Shadow Board session, Millie Kendall OBE said: ‘We are so delighted to have welcomed the winners of the Student Shadow Board competition to their first industry workshop, where they will have 1:1 mentorship with industry leaders.
‘I have had the pleasure of watching all of the winning submissions and they all showcased a unique and fresh approach to some of the key challenges facing the beauty industry. This is just the start and I am excited to see the development of the Shadow Board over the next year!’
With backgrounds studying cosmetic science, pharmaceutical science and digital marketing in fashion, the students brought unique ideas to the table and gained real-time feedback from their mentors, and provided insight to them too.
This mutual exchange of ideas is what the collaboration between brand, community and the Council is founded on. In an era where young people are at the epicentre of the industry’s purchasing power and cultural makeup, it’s vital that the industry taps into Gen Z thinking as well as offering them access to entry.
Jessica Hewitt, Global Head of Beauty and Wellness at UNiDAYS, highlighted the importance of giving young people a voice, saying: ‘We are thrilled to partner with the British Beauty Council and Sephora on The Student Beauty Shadow Board initiative. This incredible programme is all about giving the next generation of beauty talent access to mentorship, industry insights, and – most importantly – a seat at the table.
‘We recognise that today’s beauty students are tomorrow’s visionaries, and we’re committed to empowering them to shape the future of an industry they already influence so profoundly.’
The British Beauty Council is dedicated to spotlighting the diversity of opportunities available in the beauty industry and The Student Shadow Board is another example of this commitment. The initiative, which will see the five students receive a year of mentorship and a £3000 grant, is designed to bridge the gap between education and industry, giving young people a unique platform to thrive.
Sabina Ellahi, Head of PR & Communications at Sephora UK said: ‘The calibre of entries showed how much passion the students had not only just for breaking into the beauty industry but also being a part of the movement to drive meaningful change in the sector… We are excited to spend time with the students and further guide their vision so they can confidently step foot into this fast-paced and ever-evolving world of beauty.’
You can find out more about the winners here.
