ELLE’S CLASS of 2O21

Meet the future of fashion. This month, we launch the second round of our mentorship scheme with 10 young creatives who will shadow the ELLE team over the coming year. You saw them here first

JILLIAN KINDIPAN, 18 Caerphilly

At her college in Wales, Jillian is known for dressing up, and she thrives on it.

‘My friends tell me my extra outfits are what motivates them to attend,’ she says. Jillian exclusively shops vintage and works in a care home to fund her obsession. She hopes to turn her styling hobby into a career.

LUCY LEVIN, 19 Sheffield

As the daughter of a factory worker, Lucy had little access to the creative industries growing up. She planned for a career in the NHS, but the fashion industry’s response to the pandemic made her want in. ‘The Emergency Designer Network making NHS scrubs showed me you can improve lives by working in fashion.’

ANESU HWENGA, 2O Birmingham

Anesu was reserved at school and played it safe with style. While studying law at uni, she discovered a more expressive wardrobe was the conversation starter she needed to overcome her shyness. ‘I don’t run away from being different. Now I feel empowered by it.’

CHRISTINE MUGENI, 2O London

At age five, Christine asked for her hair to be braided ‘bold and blonde’. It was then she knew wanted a career in style. ‘When I moved from Congo, I felt different, but I decided to always be unapologetically myself.’

ELIZABETH OLUGA, 2O Birmingham

Troubled by the lack of representation in the media, Elizabeth launched her own YouTube channel. She’s now studying for a degree in Black studies. Having grown up as a carer in east London, she wants to prove that ‘your circumstances do not need to define you’.

MARGOT MacLEOD, 18 Inverness

With heroes including Debbie Harry, Margot is a huge music fan. She finally had time over lockdown to submit articles to music zines such as Why Generation and Babi Punk. ‘Combining music and writing is my dream, but I never considered it possible,’ she says. Next, it’s a music marketing degree in Bristol, where she plans to see more live gigs and write for the university magazine.

STEPHANIE WHITE, 22 Preston

Doncaster-born Stephanie loves Korean comics, TV shows and music, but fantasy books are her ultimate escape from reality. Next, she’s looking for a job in publishing. ‘Breaking into the creative industry has always felt impossible coming from the north, but books are my passion and I won’t give up.’

JESSICA EDWARDS, 21 Norwich

Jessica has worked at Tesco for four years and was a key worker during the pandemic. Leaving her rural Norfolk hometown to study fashion communication opened her eyes to new possibilities. ‘I’m inspired by living in a city, from people’s outfits to art exhibitions.’

RUQAYYAH MAKDA, 17 Blackburn

Despite pressure to enter the stable field of science, Ruqayyah’s true passion lies in film. ‘I don’t see many Asian women in the media, so it’s never felt like an option, but

I hope to be part of the change,’ she says. Ruqayyah is a keen nature photographer and spends her free time listening to film industry podcasts and watching analysis of her favourite films on YouTube.

HANAA, YOUSOF 18 Solihull

Model Halima Aden made Hanaa feel seen, and she wants to do the same for others through journalism. ‘It’s difficult to understand your potential in a space where you don’t see yourself represented,’ she says. West Midlands-based Hanaa has chosen to wear a hijab for the past five years and is proud to represent her Sudanese Muslim community through her clothing. Next, she’s looking for publishing internships before she studies English at university.