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Fashion Retail Academy

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Coordinates: 51°31′04″N 0°05′18″W / 51.51774°N 0.08820°W / 51.51774; -0.08820
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Fashion Retail Academy
Address
Map
Electra House, 84 Moorgate

London
,
EC2M 6SE

United Kingdom
Coordinates51°31′04″N 0°05′18″W / 51.51774°N 0.08820°W / 51.51774; -0.08820
Information
TypeVocational training college
MottoHome of Fashion's Next Generation
Established1 August 2005 (2005-08-01)
Department for Education URN135800 Tables
OfstedReports
Head teacherLee Lucas
GenderMixed
Age16+
Enrolment2,000+
Websitefashionretailacademy.ac.uk

The Fashion Retail Academy is a vocational training college in the Moorgate area of London, England.

It was founded as a National Skills Academy in 2005[1] by M&S, Next, Experian, F&F and Arcadia,[2] with funding from the UK government. Philip Green, chairman of the Arcadia Group, contributed between £5 million[3]: 126  and £12 million[4]: 119 . It opened in 2006 with about 200 students, and has since taught over 12,000 students.[5]

The Fashion Retail Academy trains people to work in head office roles within the fashion industry, working with over 140 UK brands and retailers[5] to provide industry enrichment like work experience. Diploma courses run from six months to two years, and undergraduate degree courses are condensed across two years.[6] They also offer fashion and retail apprenticeships. In 2022, the Academy launched specialist online courses.[7]

In April 2017, students from the college took part in the Future Retail Challenge at the World Retail Congress in Dubai.[8][9]

Molly-Mae Hague, an English social media influencer and runner-up in the fifth series of reality dating show Love Island, studied at the Fashion Retail Academy.[10] She has been the creative director of fashion brand PrettyLittleThing since 2021. In her recent book publication, she referred to her time at the academy as "probably one of the best decisions of my life. It was such an amazing two years, I had so much fun." Social media influencer and actress Bel Priestley studied at the academy but later dropped out.[11]

Several alumni have also been chosen as part of Drapers 30 Under 30 including Thom Scherdel, a buyer at The Idle Man, in 2015[12] and Alannah Gold, international digital trading manager at River Island, in 2022.[13]

In August 2024, the Fashion Retail Academy announced that it had appointed its first Patron, Lord Rose of Monewden.[14] Lord Rose was CEO of Marks & Spencer, one of the Academy's founding partners, when it opened in 2005.

The Mayor's Skills Academies Quality Mark

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In 2022, the Fashion Retail Academy was awarded two Mayor’s Skills Academies Quality Marks for education provision within the Creative Sector and the Digital Sector.[15]  

Launched in March 2022 by the Mayor of London and the London Assembly, the Mayor's Skills Academies Quality Mark is an annual accreditation that identifies and recognises high-quality skills training providers in London. The Quality Mark covers six priority sectors that are considered key for London’s recovery and long-term economic growth. The Quality Mark is designed to help learners find industry-relevant skills provision across the city of London.

Academic Partnership with Falmouth University

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Fashion Retail Academy is classed as a "listed body" on the UK Government website, meaning that it cannot award degrees; students at a listed body may receive their degrees from a "recognised body", one authorised to award degrees.[16]

The Academy has a partnership with Falmouth University.[17]

Location

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In 2024, the Academy moved to Electra House in Moorgate.[18] The building was previously occupied by London Metropolitan University, and is currently undergoing a £21 million refurbishment.[19]

10-Year Anniversary

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In 2015, the Fashion Retail Academy held a 10-Year Anniversary and Awards Ceremony at Freemason's Hall in Convent Garden. The event was attended by celebrities including Philip Green, Tony Blair,[20] Vernon Kay, Tess Daly, Ciara and Paloma Faith.[21]

References

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  1. ^ John P. Wilson (2011). The Routledge Encyclopaedia of UK Education, Training and Employment. London; New York: Routledge Taylor & Francis. ISBN 9781317796510.
  2. ^ MacDonald2015-07-09T10:13:00+01:00, George. "Tony Blair joins retailers to celebrate Fashion Retail Academy anniversary". Retail Week. Retrieved 1 November 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  3. ^ Liz Barclay (2010). The Unauthorized Guide To Doing Business the Philip Green Way: 10 Secrets of the Billionaire Retail Magnate. Chichester: Capstone. ISBN 9780857080226.
  4. ^ Francis Beckett (2007). The Great City Academy Fraud. London: Continuum. ISBN 9780826495136.
  5. ^ a b "About the FRA | Fashion Retail Academy London". www.fashionretailacademy.ac.uk. Retrieved 1 November 2022.
  6. ^ "Accelerated Undergraduate Degrees | Fashion Retail Academy London". www.fashionretailacademy.ac.uk. Retrieved 1 November 2022.
  7. ^ "Online Courses Launching September 2022 | FRA News | Fashion Retail Academy London". www.fashionretailacademy.ac.uk. Retrieved 1 November 2022.
  8. ^ "London fashion students take on global challenge at World Retail Congress 2017". A1 Retail Magazine.
  9. ^ "Future Retail Challenge". World Retail Congress.
  10. ^ PA, Prudence Wade (28 February 2022). "Fashion: Molly-Mae Hague on fashion, trying to be sustainable and blocking out the noise". The Irish News. Retrieved 1 November 2022.
  11. ^ "Bel Priestley is a Star on the Rise - BRICKS Magazine". 16 June 2023.
  12. ^ "30 Under 30: Thom Scherdel". Drapers. 9 January 2015. Retrieved 1 November 2022.
  13. ^ Behrmann, Anna (11 January 2022). "Drapers 30 Under 30 2022: Alannah Gold, international digital trading manager, River Island". Drapers. Retrieved 1 November 2022.
  14. ^ "Lord Rose Becomes FRA Patron | Fashion Retail Academy London". www.fashionretailacademy.ac.uk. Retrieved 14 August 2024.
  15. ^ "The Mayor's Skills Academies Quality Mark | LGOV". www.london.gov.uk. Retrieved 3 November 2022.
  16. ^ Check if a university or college is officially recognised: Listed bodies. gov.uk. Accessed January 2017.
  17. ^ "Fashion Retail Academy". Falmouth University.
  18. ^ "Electra House". www.fashionretailacademy.ac.uk. Retrieved 1 November 2022.
  19. ^ Lowe2021-12-01T06:00:00+00:00, Tom. "Osborne chalks up £21m refurb job on grade II-listed City building". Building. Retrieved 1 November 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  20. ^ Conti, Samantha (9 July 2015). "Tony Blair, Sir Philip Green Mark Anniversary of Fashion Retail Academy". WWD. Retrieved 1 November 2022.
  21. ^ "FRA 10 Year Anniversary and Awards Ceremony 2015". www.fashionretailacademy.ac.uk. Retrieved 1 November 2022.
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