BUBBLEGUM X: Daily Paper Internship & Interview
Bubblegum Club is giving one person from Africa the chance to intern in Europe! Teaming up with Daily Paper, the international exchange is focused on the fashion industry - offering an emerging designer a fully funded month-long internship at Daily Paper’s HQ in Amsterdam.
Daily Paper started as a personal blog in 2008, covering the fashion, music, style and African influences of three young friends in Amsterdam — Abderrahmane Trabsini, Jefferson Osei and Hussein Suleiman. The site gained traction, so they launched 5 Daily Paper branded tees. The tees sold out instantly and the Daily Paper brand was born. Now at over 400k followers and collaborations with Off-White and Beats already under the belt, Daily Paper shows no signs of slowing down. Interning at such a talented company, filled with creatives who share so much passion for the African continent is a massive opportunity for anyone, and we are so excited for what's to come from it. You can see all requirements for entering here.
We asked Bubblegum Club some questions about BUBBLEGUM X and this internship. Check it out below!
How long has the BUBBLEGUM X initiative been running?
BUBBLEGUM X Daily Paper is the first of its kind.
The initiative from Bubblegum Club and The Bubblegum Foundation is aimed at advancing Africa’s ever-growing cultural influence in global creative scenes.
This year is the first year in which the Bubblegum Foundation will use its resources to realise initiatives that support and develop creatives across Africa such as BUBBLEGUM X.
How did this amazing opportunity between Bubblegum Club and Daily Paper come about?
As Bubblegum Club, we prioritise community. Through networking and moving intuitively through the media landscape, we partnered with Daily Paper.
Similar to a lot of Bubblegum Club initiatives, we look to support the creative industries, we look to create initiatives that develop young creatives and give them opportunities. This is such an opportunity.
Daily Paper has deep roots on the African continent and we have a similar ethos when it comes to innovation and culture.
What makes the perfect intern for this initiative?
The perfect intern is one who is innovative. From the up-and-comers to the successful designers, we’re looking for innovation in all its many forms. Whether it be the concept, the story that is being told or technical innovative.
We’re looking for someone who understands their locality and understands their environment. Someone who understands the past, someone who understands materiality, someone who is able to take the spirit of the place that they live in and push that through within their craft and craftsmanship.
Why do you think this internship is important for the youth of South Africa?
This initiative seeks to develop and support a new generation of empowered African creators, who comfortably and successfully occupy artistic and entrepreneurial spaces. A generation that will build, sustain and eventually pass on the creative businesses upon which the future of Africa’s creative industries is founded.
Our past hasn't been documented as well, whenever we see what's coming out of Africa or spaces that didn't get as much media coverage before, it feels fresh. It's more exciting. What's coming out of the continent is more exciting and young people in South Africa and the rest of Africa deserve platforms that allow them opportunities.
Can you tell us a bit about the jury deciding this year’s winner?
Our jury consists of Isaac Kimbugwe and Carly Muller from Daily Paper as well as Jamal Nxedlana and Moipone Tlale from Bubblegum Club.
Everyone will get an opportunity to meet and speak to the jury in our upcoming twitter space, 5 July at 20:00 SAST HERE.
Isaac Kimbugwe
Born and raised in South London, Isaac has always been connected to community and considers himself a well rounded, well traveled, well connected cultural maven who weaves through landmark cities around the world through networks of other like minded people.
Issac has been involved in many successful marketing campaigns, collaborations and events during their years at Nike, Converse and now currently Daily Paper, where he heads Creative Culture.
Carly Muller
Born in the Netherlands, Carly graduated with a bachelor's in Fashion Design from WDKA Art Academy and is currently Design Manager for Daily Paper.
Carly is passionate about design in all aspects, clothing, interior, architecture and art. She loves to travel and in her free time to get away from the hectic city to spend time in nature with her family.
Jamal Nxedlana
Jamal, born in Durban, is a visual artist and cultural organiser. He is in the unique position of being both a cultural producer and the founder of a number of independent organisations which support the South Africa arts community.
Jamal is the founder of Bubblegum Club, a cultural organisation and digital platform which curates and celebrates new pop culture.
Moipone Tlale
Moipone is highly interested in the duality and dichotomy of digital and physical space; how humans navigate and perceive themselves and others in these environments and the hidden possibilities of the future to come.
The Editor of Digital at Bubblegum Club with a background in Architecture, Moipone is currently working towards her postgraduate degree in Philosophy.
Will there be opportunities provided for the interns once they have come back from DP?
By giving the successful designer experience in working systems and processes that could position them to be more competitive, globally in fashion, we hope that this monthlong internship will aid the respective designer to carve their way in the fashion industry to achieve their goals.
Any advice to creatives applying for this year’s BUBBLEGUM X initiative?
Even though there will be one successful applicant, the top 10 applications will be platformed by BUBBLEGUM X. We will be profiling some of the standout applicants throughout the process of choosing a winner so we hope that creatives will take the opportunity to apply put their best foot forward regardless of the end result.
Blessings also come from sharing this opportunity with those who, though they may be your peers, will benefit in some way or form from the opportunity that is BUBBLEGUM X.
Double-check your applications and make sure they are complete. Email [email protected] if you have any trouble with your application.
