Kurt Gieger Fashion Marketing Apprenticeship
Innovative Fashion Apprenticeship Unlocked Creativity, Career Paths, and Community Pride
In an inspiring collaboration with the San Diego County Office of Education’s Community Schools, a group of youth enrolled in the ARTS 4 Justice program recently completed a dynamic two-month paid apprenticeship.
This unique program, co-created with local youth-serving organization Dreams+Ducats, immersed participants in the fundamentals of branding and campaign strategy. Mentorship and creative coaching from industry experts opened new doors, allowing students to discover their potential and try their hand at fashion marketing.
The program’s impact gained international recognition when the Kurt Geiger Kindness Foundation awarded ARTS a grant, supporting their mission to empower South County youth through creativity. The Foundation’s goal is clear: to remove barriers so every young person—no matter their background—has the tools and support to enter the creative industry.
A highlight was a workshop with Natasha Thomson, Senior Manager of Digital Marketing for Vogue & GQ at Condé Nast. Her real-world experience with global campaigns gave participants invaluable insight, inspiring them to develop both creative skills and professional confidence.
The culmination of this experience was a youth-led photoshoot that combined street style with high fashion. It featured handbags from the London-based fashion brand Kurt Geiger, set against the vibrant backdrop of South County San Diego. This project gave participants the opportunity to bring their story to the forefront, creatively expressing the beauty of the places they come from.
“Before this, I didn’t know what I wanted to do for my career, but now I know there’s something I want to pursue in life.”
Hands-on, real-world career experiences like these open doors for young people, guiding them toward exciting futures in the creative and technical industries.
“I could possibly make a career out of this, I really got to see an inside view of how it all works.”
The journey of these young creatives is captured in a series of engaging behind-the-scenes videos that document their experiences throughout the apprenticeship. These videos showcase their growth, teamwork, and the significant impact that creativity can have on young people during these crucial stages of development.
Meet the Team
Career Aspirations and Education
Representing San Diego and the South Bay
Confidence and Youth Voice
Creativity and Collaboration
Thank you to our partners at Dreams and Ducats, The Prebys Foundation, Kurt Gieger Kindness Foundation, and San Diego County Office of Education | Juvenile Court and Community Schools for making this project a reality!
Be sure to follow A Reason to Survive (ARTS) on Instagram to check out our latest videos and celebrate the amazing achievements of our youth! When young people see themselves reflected in the projects they create in their community, they develop a sense of pride and agency, which contributes to the community's overall well-being. Consider donating today to help us fund more programming like this, together, we can continue to support their growth and future opportunities.
