By Cassell Ferere originally published on Forbes.com

As the buzz of the MET Gala takes over New York City and the social media accounts, another noteworthy event makes its mark on the same day, May 7, 2024, at The Standard, East Village. The Sarabande Foundation is bringing its acclaimed career fair program "What Now?" to the Big Apple. Bridging the gap between aspiring fashion industry creatives and stewards, Sarabande promises to be a cornerstone for those looking to carve out a niche in the dynamic world of fashion and creativity.

"What Now?" is more than just a career fair; it is a lifeline for students and graduates eager to realize their creative vision and increase their employability. The event, which runs from 10 AM to 6 PM, offers attendees the unique opportunity to engage one-on-one with industry specialists from prestigious brands such as Thom Browne, Gabriela Hearst, Maria Cornejo, Louis Vuitton, and many more. This platform facilitates a deeper understanding of the industry while allowing emerging talents to receive personalized guidance and insights from professionals who have navigated the complexities of the creative sectors.

The Sarabande Foundation, named after Alexander McQueen's Spring/Summer 2007 collection, was founded in 2010 by his close friend and collaborator, Trino Verkade. Established with a mission to support budding artists from diverse backgrounds, the foundation has significantly contributed to the arts and fashion sectors by offering scholarships, mentorship, and subsidized studio space. Since its inception, it has supported over 130 fashion artists, enabling them to follow in the footsteps of McQueen, who had to overcome considerable financial challenges to pursue his dreams.

Trino Verkade, the director of Sarabande Foundation, states, “established to support and nurture the creative minds of the future. The Foundation does this through scholarships, heavily subsidized studio space, mentoring, and public events such as 'What Now?'.”

This year's event at The Standard, East Village, underscores The Standard’s commitment to fostering opportunities within creative fields. The venue has been instrumental in hosting events that enrich the artistic community. Trino Verkade, Director of Sarabande Foundation, expressed enthusiasm about the collaboration, noting the significance of bringing the London-born initiative to a global stage like New York. Aiming to guide graduates through the complexities of transitioning from academic environments into professional realms, Sarabande introduces participants to the evolving roles within a rapidly changing industry.

Verkade notes, “Although our focus is on creatives at a pivotable moment in their career rather than the early stages, ‘What Now?’ is an event that we started in London three years ago following multiple conversations with recent graduates who felt adrift after leaving the safety of college and needed to see the pathway beyond that. Especially true in a world that is quickly changing, where roles are opening up in sustainability, community and diversity, and digital AI, to name only a few. We wanted to bring this Graduate Survival guide to NYC as this is a global issue.”

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