FRA Alumni Chosen as One of Drapers' '30 Under 30'

Congratulations to FRA graduate Thom Scherdel, who has been selected as one of Drapers' '30 Under 30' for 2015! 

Thom started at the Fashion Retail Academy in 2006, moving to London from Grimsby to study Level 3 Fashion Retail. He then progressed to Level 4 Fashion Buying and won the FRA Marks & Spencer Award for Endeavour in 2007.  

After graduating from the Academy, he secured a role at Selfridges as an allocator. A year later, Thom was promoted into the buying team. He worked as a buyer’s assistant in formalwear, before moving to contemporary and streetwear. 

After three years, he moved to Topman to be part of a new team working on designer collaborations. In 2011, Thom was promoted to Assistant Buyer and became known for his ‘offbeat approach’ by targeting new brands unseen at trade shows. Whilst at Topman, he was responsible for taking the Oxford Street store from seven third-party brands to over 70. 

“A champion of independent British design, Thom Scherdel is the man responsible for bringing brands like Hype, Ragged Priest and Criminal Damage into the mainstream,” said Drapers. 

His skills and eye for products attracted the attention of Oliver Tezcan, chief executive at The Idle Man. Thom moved to the brand to be a Buyer last year. He told Drapers that whilst there is still ‘so much to achieve’ in his current role, his dream is to start his own brand.  

We’re incredibly proud of everything Thom has achieved in the last 10 years since leaving the Fashion Retail Academy. We look forward to watching his continued success in the industry!