CONDÉFUTURE LONDON 2026
At the end of May 2026, the Peter Marlow Foundation was proud to partner with Condé Nast, AKT Up, Be Heard As One and the Forest Gate Youth Zone to deliver the second edition of CondéFuture London, a week-long programme which brought together young people from East London to gain first-hand insight into the publishing and creative industries.
Hosted at both Forest Gate Youth Zone and the Condé Nast London office, the programme welcomed 10 students aged 16-21 with an interest in arts, media, design and journalism to spend the week learning how ideas are developed and brought to life within major publications. Together, they worked on mood boards and an editorial photography shoot, produced their own concept of editions for Condé Nast brands such as Vogue and GQ, and pitched this to the team at the Condé Nast offices, where they received professional feedback. This enabled them to gain a deeper understanding of the wide range of careers within the publishing industry, and the process behind creating a magazine from conception to delivery.
Hosted at both Forest Gate Youth Zone and the Condé Nast London office, the programme welcomed 10 students aged 16-21 with an interest in arts, media, design and journalism to spend the week learning how ideas are developed and brought to life within major publications. Together, they worked on mood boards and an editorial photography shoot, produced their own concept of editions for Condé Nast brands such as Vogue and GQ, and pitched this to the team at the Condé Nast offices, where they received professional feedback. This enabled them to gain a deeper understanding of the wide range of careers within the publishing industry, and the process behind creating a magazine from conception to delivery.
The programme also featured talks from industry professionals who shared their personal career journeys and experiences working within the creative sector. Among the guest speakers was Photo Vogue photographer Ayomide Tejuoso who discussed her practice and establishing a vision for her work. The group also heard from photographer David Shaw, who offered insight into his own career and specifically working as an editorial photographer. Together, they facilitated a portrait photography workshop at Forest Gate Youth Zone where the young people learnt about studio lighting and created portraits of each other.
Participants reflected that the programme helped them gain confidence in themselves and in working as part of a team. Through meeting new people and taking on challenges such as public speaking and working collaboratively, they were able to grow their network and develop their creative skills, whilst having access to extensive resources and support from industry mentors. The young people involved will progress to work experience placements with the partner organisations, providing valuable exposure to professional environments and helping them to continue to build networks within the creative industries.
Participants reflected that the programme helped them gain confidence in themselves and in working as part of a team. Through meeting new people and taking on challenges such as public speaking and working collaboratively, they were able to grow their network and develop their creative skills, whilst having access to extensive resources and support from industry mentors. The young people involved will progress to work experience placements with the partner organisations, providing valuable exposure to professional environments and helping them to continue to build networks within the creative industries.
Through its involvement, the Peter Marlow Foundation continues its commitment to increasing access to photography and creative careers for young people, particularly those who are under-represented in the industry. By connecting participants with professionals, practical experiences and real-world pathways into employment, CondéFuture London helps break down barriers to entry in publishing and the creative and cultural sectors.
One of our participants, Naima Browne (@naima.xolani on Instagram), reflected that:
“I found this CondéFuture Summer Camp to be extremely rewarding. The way the week was designed forced me to get out of my comfort zone and put into practice some of my skills that have been laying dormant for a while. Everybody involved was attentive, considerate and kind, which made asking questions and feeling comfortable in an unfamiliar environment a whole lot easier. The experience also gave way to valuable connections and industry insights that would otherwise remain gate-kept. I’d love to do more opportunities like this in the future and will definitely recommend my friends to CondéFuture next year, so they get a chance to be part of this.”
Participant Lamia Edwards (@lamia.j12 on Instagram) added, "The programme was very helpful. It is a great opportunity to meet new people and learn new skills from a creative point of view, I found it interactive and fun. Presentation skills were something useful I learnt on the program. The quote I would use for my experience is: Step out of your comfort zone, great opportunities are ahead.”
Kevin Stuart, Founder of AKT Up and one of the project partners said, "If you can change the fortune of these young people, you can directly impact the future for the better. Just imagine that."
Condé Nast Senior Education Manager J. Walter Doyle had this to add:
“CondéFuture is a program that seeks to inspire and nurture future generations of creative talent globally, with hands-on training and skills focused education. We are working to close the opportunity gaps that still exist for often overlooked communities, while in turn learning from some of the most brilliant minds in Gen Z and Gen Alpha. We know they are the future of the industry, and we can't wait to see what they create.”
CondéFuture London was conceived by Condé Nast, a global media company which is home to iconic brands like Vogue, The New Yorker, GQ, Architectural Digest and Vanity Fair. This iteration of the programme was developed and delivered with the Peter Marlow Foundation, AKT Up, Be Heard As One and the Forest Gate Youth Zone:
AKT Up - Building resilience, confidence, and life skills through martial arts, nutrition education, and financial literacy programs for young people aged 11-30, fostering creativity along the way.
AKT Up
Be Heard As One (BHAO) - a grassroots CIO organisation based in East London with a focus on Mentoring and Outreach. Their ethos is focused on fostering growth and change within inner city London communities, which in turn will uplift and enrich the lives of young people from disadvantaged backgrounds.
Be Heard As One
Forest Gate Youth Zone - a youth club that provides a safe, supportive, and engaging space for local young people, where they can participate in creative activities and development opportunities.
Forest Gate Youth Zone Instagram
One of our participants, Naima Browne (@naima.xolani on Instagram), reflected that:
“I found this CondéFuture Summer Camp to be extremely rewarding. The way the week was designed forced me to get out of my comfort zone and put into practice some of my skills that have been laying dormant for a while. Everybody involved was attentive, considerate and kind, which made asking questions and feeling comfortable in an unfamiliar environment a whole lot easier. The experience also gave way to valuable connections and industry insights that would otherwise remain gate-kept. I’d love to do more opportunities like this in the future and will definitely recommend my friends to CondéFuture next year, so they get a chance to be part of this.”
Participant Lamia Edwards (@lamia.j12 on Instagram) added, "The programme was very helpful. It is a great opportunity to meet new people and learn new skills from a creative point of view, I found it interactive and fun. Presentation skills were something useful I learnt on the program. The quote I would use for my experience is: Step out of your comfort zone, great opportunities are ahead.”
Kevin Stuart, Founder of AKT Up and one of the project partners said, "If you can change the fortune of these young people, you can directly impact the future for the better. Just imagine that."
Condé Nast Senior Education Manager J. Walter Doyle had this to add:
“CondéFuture is a program that seeks to inspire and nurture future generations of creative talent globally, with hands-on training and skills focused education. We are working to close the opportunity gaps that still exist for often overlooked communities, while in turn learning from some of the most brilliant minds in Gen Z and Gen Alpha. We know they are the future of the industry, and we can't wait to see what they create.”
CondéFuture London was conceived by Condé Nast, a global media company which is home to iconic brands like Vogue, The New Yorker, GQ, Architectural Digest and Vanity Fair. This iteration of the programme was developed and delivered with the Peter Marlow Foundation, AKT Up, Be Heard As One and the Forest Gate Youth Zone:
AKT Up - Building resilience, confidence, and life skills through martial arts, nutrition education, and financial literacy programs for young people aged 11-30, fostering creativity along the way.
AKT Up
Be Heard As One (BHAO) - a grassroots CIO organisation based in East London with a focus on Mentoring and Outreach. Their ethos is focused on fostering growth and change within inner city London communities, which in turn will uplift and enrich the lives of young people from disadvantaged backgrounds.
Be Heard As One
Forest Gate Youth Zone - a youth club that provides a safe, supportive, and engaging space for local young people, where they can participate in creative activities and development opportunities.
Forest Gate Youth Zone Instagram
