Internships

The philosophy of the Foundation is to help young Australians gain world-class, hands-on experience in New York, and return home with internationally recognized training and contacts. By opening these doors and creating this platform, the Foundation not only assists these individuals, but also serves to further expand and enrich the future Australian fashion industry, abroad and in Australia.

Applications for the covetable 2012 Internship will open August 5th, 2011 and close October 14th, 2011. Finalists will be posted on the Foundation’s website on November 4th, 2011, with finalist interviews taking place in Sydney in Late December. The lucky winner will be announced that same day and immediately posted online and via press release to media outlets.

Australians in New York Fashion Foundation Internship/Traineeship Application Instructions and Guideline

The goal of the Australians Fashion Foundation is to create amazing opportunities, through internships and career advice, to connect young Australians with valuable work experience in New York’s fashion and beauty industries.

Set up by a group of influential and creative Australians, who have achieved success and recognition in New York and established their own support networks across the fashion industry, the Foundation provides an opportunity to help the next generation of talented Australian stylists, journalists, fashion designers, publicists, hair and make up artists, set designers, photographers, graphic designers, fashion illustrators and beauty professionals.

Each year the Foundation will fund one lucky graduate the opportunity to come to New York for up to six months. The Foundation will provide the winner with a visa to work in their chosen field, together with a financial grant and a return ticket to NYC. The applicant is responsible for finding accommodation and managing the grant funds to cover their accommodation and living expenses in NYC. AINYFF will also arrange and coordinate work experience in the graduate’s chosen field in the world of fashion and beauty, tailored to their talent and area of expertise and study.

Key Dates +

Applications open: August 5, 2011
Applications close: October 14, 2011
10 Finalists announced: November 4, 2011
Finalist Interviews (Sydney): Late December 2011
Winner announced: Late December 2011

Application Criteria +

Entrants must be between 18 to 28 years of age
Entrants must be an Australian citizen

Entrants must:
Currently be enrolled and pursuing studies at an Australian degree – or certificate-granting post-secondary academic institution outside the United States, or have graduated from such an institution no more than 12 months prior to his or her exchange visitor program start date, or hold a degree or professional certificate from an Australian post-secondary academic institution and have at least one year of prior related work experience in his or her occupational field outside the United States, or have completed five years of work experience outside the United States in the occupational field in which they are seeking training.

Internship/traineeship while in New York +

The recipient will be assisted in securing one or multiple internships tailored to the recipient's specific abilities/aspirations within the industry. This will be facilitated by the AINYFF board prior to the recipient departing Australia.

Internship/traineeship duration +

The internship(s) will begin and end within a period of six months. Commencement of the internship must be within six months of the recipient being notified of winning.

Financial +

One initial grant of USD 25,000, which will in turn cover:
-Accommodation and living expenses while in New York during the six months internship(s).
-Additional visa and related legal fees covered by AINYFF.
-Return flight to New York from state capital nearest to recipient's home.

Recipient responsible for all other expenses incurred

Recipient Responsibilities +

-On being notified of the award the recipient must provide a budget outlining how they will use the grant in relation to their expenses over the six month internship(s) in New York.
-Recipient is responsible for procuring own living arrangements in New York.

Evaluation Criteria +

-Applicants should demonstrate intellect, vision and innovation
-Applications must be clear and concise
-To be eligible for the requisite United States of America visa, applicants must fall into one of the categories listed under General Information/Application Criteria. If applicant does not fit a category as listed, his/her application will be deemed invalid.

Application Process +

Following an initial review, a short list of 10 applicants will be selected by the founding AINYFF board and invited to participate in one-on-one interviews conducted in Sydney in late December. Interviews will be conducted by founding board members and prominent members of the Australian Fashion Industry. Applicants will be notified if they have been short-listed for interviews. And names will be posted on the Foundation's website. The judges' decisions are final. AINYFF will not give feedback on unsuccessful applications. All applications submitted become property of AINYFF and will not be returned.