LONDON COLLEGE OF FASHION -ENGAGING WITH THE INDUSTRY

Dr Julia Wolny

Director of Fashion Business Resource Studio

London College of Fashion

University of the Arts London

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University of the Arts London

• Biggest Art & Design Educational Institution in Europe• Famous and successful alumni e.g. John Galliano, Alexander

McQueen• London College of Fashion one of 5 Colleges of the University of the

Arts London• Located in the hub of retail fashion• Strong culture of innovation and creativity• At the forefront of entrepreneurial activities in the fashion and

creative industries.

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University of the Arts London: Mission

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To become a truly international University by strengthening our international academic

“communities, partnerships and networks and by developing curricula which respond to our global

role”

British Council Connect Student Mobility projectSri Lanka

Joint development of BA Fashion Design

2009 - opportunity for 10 students from the BA Fashion Studies part time programme to develop fashion collections in partnership with students form University of Moratuwa

Long standing relationship with University of Moratuwa

PMI2 Partnership – British CouncilContinuing Professional Development Programme

Link between London College of Fashion and University of Moratuwa under PMI2 partnership to

jointly deliver an Enterprise programme in Sri Lanka

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FASHION BUSINESSRESOURCE STUDIO

To generate a mutually supportive enterprise culture dedicated to improving the integration of emerging talent, technical expertise, new knowledge and entrepreneurial advice into industry

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ACHIEVED THROUGH:

• Providing platforms for industry interaction– E.g. Work Placements & Work Experience

• Supporting and developing industry– E.g. Industry Sponsored Curriculum Projects, CPD

• Establishing and providing networks– E.g. Industry Advisory Groups– E.g. Industry Seminars

• Enhancing LCF enterprise activity and graduate employability– E,g, First Move

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The Needs of the Stakeholders

Student

IndustryAcademics

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Industry Interaction

• Industry contact database• Industrial Advisory Panels• Industry visits• Industry Seminars• Industry Open Days• Industry Recruitment Fair• Employer Guide to Work Placements• Implemented policies & procedures for employer engagement

– employer and staff handbooks, – IP and licence agreements– H&S– Quality assurance procedures– Credit-bearing

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Student Interaction

• Enhanced support for all students before, during, and after placement

• Devised and developed a series of career management seminars and tutorials to support the placement process and the curriculum

• Deliver one to one tutorials

• Student Guide to Work Placements

• Employability and Enterprise DVD

• Student Blog Competition

• Organised Industry Workshops and Open days to showcase work

• Graduate Recruitment Fair

• Enterprise Seminars

• Student course projects

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Academic Interaction

• Developed a closer relationship with courses.• Supported the course directors and course teams.• Not to be seen as a bolt on but integrated into the curriculum that

support PPD.• Recognised the differences in the course and the needs of every

course director.• Delivered!

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Work Placements- examples

Industry Country Placements

Jimmy Choo UK New Product Development Assistant

Chloe Paris Design Assistant

Alexander McQueen UK Design Assistant

Footwear & Accessories

Burberry UK PR Assistant

Yves Saint Laurent UK PR Assistant

Stella McCartney UK PR Assistant

Mulberry UK Accessories Design Assistant

Zac Posen USA Design Assistant

Salvatore Ferragamo Italy Footwear Designer

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Benefits to Industry

• Fresh ideas, solutions to real problems • Low cost, low risk investigation of “back-burner” ideas • Identifying talent for employment • Corporate exposure for students• Improving design education at the College• The mental stimulation of interacting with bright, energetic, creative

young minds • Networking with other companies and academics at the College.

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Benefits to Students

• Introduces students to industry practice• Builds on experiential learning• Develops employability skills• Can focus a students career aspirations• Can get students employment• Enables academics to interface with industry/refresh skills. • Allows for academic consultancy

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Project Examples

• Relationship established from first contact to project agreement over 1 year (approx).

• A final year project aimed at securing a range of international graduate design roles for LCF students.

• 2d design work (related to the A&F brief set) is submitted by students and aimed at demonstrating clear research and understanding of the brand.

• A selection of students are then chosen for interviews conducted in A&F HQ, Columbus, Ohio, US.

• Project has now run for the last 3 years and secured approx 6 graduates with international design positions at A&F in Columbus.

Responsible Luxury - MCM/LCF collaboration

Objectives including design objectives: Re-design MCM Cognac Visetos bags

Gain new value (new object of desire for a new consumer)

Gain new function -ie book cover, boots, shoes, patchwork..

Translate the ethos of the new MCM brand

Background to project: Collaboration between luxury brand and a fashion school

Encourage future fashion designers to be responsible.

Alert them about ethical issues, sustainability and responsible fashion

Luxury goods are not to be thrown away and hence harm the environment

Recreate value of back-dated stock

MCM Heritage – Cognac Visetos

LCF/MCM @ Harrods

Magazine & Egyptian Hall LCF/MCM Exhibition

April 2009

MCM/LCF collaboration

Rina Hansen April 2009

Conclusions

Benefits Dangers

MCM •Education about ethical issues•Development of new trends and product development ideas commercially•Increasing brand awareness•Strengthening relations with important retailers and other partners. •Potential for subbranding•Creating PR coverage•Ongoing initiative (LCF)•Lessening wastage

•Additional cost incurred in re-design•Product mismatch with core collection •Customer or brand confusion•Quality issues

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FIRST MOVEFor the Creative IndustriesBy the Creative Industries

Continuing Professional Development ProgrammePMI2 Partnership – British Council

Link between London College of Fashion and University of Moratuwa under PMI2 partnership to

jointly deliver an Enterprise programme in Sri Lanka

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Connect, Inform, Inspire

Thank you for listening

Dr Julia WolnyDirector of Fashion Business Resource Studio

j.wolny@fashion.arts.ac.uk