Folk marks 25 years by giving creatives the chance to upskill with a new bursary

When a brand hits a milestone anniversary, it’s easy to look back, retell the origin story, and pull out the greatest hits. But for Folk, the London-based clothing label known for its understated aesthetic and attention to quiet detail, turning 25 has sparked a different instinct: to give back, and to look forward.

Folk has always been more than just clothes. Since its founding in 2002, the label has built a reputation for well-made casualwear with a distinctly British sensibility, but also for its wider design practice, spanning objects, furniture and collaborations with artists. At its heart is a deep respect for craft and community. This year, that ethos has grown into something new with the Folk Bursary.

The Folk Bursary is a fund designed to support emerging creatives, or anyone looking to explore a new skill, with access to short courses at leading institutions like CityLit, UAL or the RCA. Each award will cover between £500–£800 in course fees, with eight bursaries available this year. The idea is to essentially make the next step in someone’s creative journey feel just that little bit more possible.

Whether you’re a self-taught illustrator looking to refine your practice, a designer curious about ceramics, or someone considering a complete shift in direction, the bursary is open to you. To apply, all you need to do is submit an existing piece of your work to 25@folkclothing.com, along with a short note about your creative journey and the course you’d like to attend. Applications are open now and close on 1 November 2025.

The initiative follows a series of projects marking Folk’s 25th anniversary year, all centred on nurturing creativity across disciplines. Earlier this summer, the brand appointed a group of artists as official Folk Ambassadors, including illustrator Joey Yu, glassblower Jochen Holz, ceramicist Alison Lousada, weaver Dalia James and artist Aaron Kudi. Each created a one-of-a-kind work in response to Folk’s design philosophy, which were auctioned to raise funds for the bursary.

Alongside this, Folk has launched an artist residency beneath its Eastcastle Street store, a space conceived as both working studio and evolving gallery. The first residency has been awarded to Joey Yu, whose expressive, joyfully observant work has long resonated with the brand. Joey will use the space to develop new projects while engaging with Folk’s wider community through workshops, studio visits and events.

Taken together, these initiatives paint a clear picture: for Folk, celebrating 25 years isn’t about nostalgia, but about investment – in artists, in craft, and in the communities that have shaped the brand since day one. The Folk Bursary is designed to be an ongoing project, matched and sustained each year, to continually open up opportunities for creatives to grow, experiment and explore.

For It’s Nice That’s community of readers, this is an invitation. If you’ve been considering a short course, or itching to develop a new skill but unsure how to make it happen, this could be your moment. The application is straightforward, the support is real, and the opportunity is designed for people exactly like you.

After all, creativity thrives when it’s shared, supported and celebrated. With the Folk Bursary, the label is reaffirming its belief that the best way to honour 25 years of making is to help make space for what comes next.

Applications are open now until 1 November 2025. To apply, submit your work and details to 25@folkclothing.com.

Explore the artworks that were auctioned earlier this year, to create the Bursary fund: