NEW YORK, Dec. 10, 2019 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Yellowbrick and Pensole, two organizations that share complementary approaches to educating learners in the Footwear and Apparel industries, today announced a partnership that will open new gateways for the next generation of talent.
The two companies are dedicated to preparing tomorrow's leaders in industries like Footwear and Apparel. Pensole offers highly selective, in-person bootcamps for footwear and apparel design. Yellowbrick offers easily accessible online programs, in collaboration with universities and brands, that offer comprehensive views of the footwear, fashion, and streetwear industries and the various career paths within it. Together, Yellowbrick and Pensole will help learners identify their ideal industry role and, in the process, enable major brands to reach the innovative, under-the-radar talent needed to elevate their businesses.
"There's no question that there's an immediate need for more diversity in our industry — this is where the greatest creativity comes from and it's a value that both Pensole and Yellowbrick share," said D'Wayne Edwards, Founder of Pensole. "By joining forces, we're able to reach a greater number of people who are passionate about sneaker and streetwear culture and we can find ways to funnel talent into the industry."
Through this partnership, Yellowbrick will encourage its community to explore Pensole's selective, regionally focused, in-person programs. Pensole, in turn, will guide applicants who might benefit from a bird's-eye view of these industries through Yellowbrick's comprehensive online programs. Taken together, aspiring learners will discover the right pathway for them — no matter their location, industry knowledge or skill level — and expose talent to the best learning resources and employment opportunities available.
"Our goal has always been to help the next generation discover career paths that align to their passions and aptitude, and Pensole shares that same goal in the footwear and apparel industries," said Rob Kingyens, President and CEO of Yellowbrick. "By working together, we're increasing access and opportunity for the undiscovered talent that employers in these growing industries are actively seeking to fill new roles."
About Pensole
D'Wayne Edwards, a celebrated member of the global footwear community for the last 30 years, founded PENSOLE in 2010 to give talented young design students—regardless of socioeconomic background—an opportunity to learn from the industry's best, without financial barriers, and to provide the industry with a farm system for the next generation of footwear designers.
PENSOLE's "learn by doing" curriculum teaches students the entire footwear design process: inspiration, concept development, design process, problem-solving, materials, business, networking, marketing, and branding. PENSOLE features the most sought-after faculty in footwear, comprising both young professional designers and established footwear design leaders from the top brands, with more than 100 years combined experience to help its students with professional development. Suzette Henry created MLab at PENSOLE in 2014 as a dedicated resource, providing color technology and material innovation in customized educational programs. And in 2017, Angela Medlin joined PENSOLE as founder and director of the educational product creation resource The Functional Apparel and Accessories Studio (FAAS), where students are instructed in "true to industry" processes and sustainable practices.
Since the first PENSOLE class in 2010, more than 475 Academy graduates have been placed professionally, full-time or as interns, for companies worldwide, including Anta, Columbia Sportswear, The North Face, Timberland, Converse, New Balance, Brooks, Cole Haan, Under Armour, Keen, Stride Rite, adidas, JORDAN, Kenneth Cole, ECCO, Mizuno, Reebok, and Nike.
About Yellowbrick
Yellowbrick's platform empowers motivated learners to explore their passions. We've partnered with the best brands in media, culture, and education, to develop online courses that demystify industries like Music, Fashion, Sneakers, Sports, and Hospitality. Together, we're helping a new generation of talent discover career paths that are aligned with the things they love. Find out more at http://www.yellowbrick.co.
SOURCE Yellowbrick
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