After the success of last year’s LCF MA catwalk show, their handpicked graduate finalists are again going to be showcasing their designs during London Fashion Week.
The renowned college is also celebrating the 125th Anniversary of its Cordwainers course this year. The course has supported, shaped and influenced the footwear and accessories industry in Britain since its inception in 1889. A notable alumnus of the programme is Sophia Webster, who has worked with Nicholas Kirkwood.
The previews of the selected designs for the MA show, styled by Anders Thomson and photographed by Felix Cooper, show these graduates to be a very talented bunch – we see flawless tailoring, vibrant colour and powerful silhouettes. Ahead of the show, we decided to pick their brains about all things fashion.
NAME Wen Tan
COURSE Fashion Design Technology: Menswear
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN China
WHAT AND WHERE DID YOU STUDY PRIOR TO YOUR MA AT LCF?
I majored in Art Design (Fashion Art Design) at Donghua University.
WHAT INSPIRES YOU?
I am often inspired by paintings, not only by others’ work, but also by my own process of drawing. I get inspiration from museums and exhibitions of extinct animals, which I combine with traditional techniques which themselves are under the threat of extinct. My prints come from my hand drawings.
DID YOU UNDERTAKE ANY INTERNSHIPS WHILST STUDYING? AND IF SO, HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT THEM?
I had a few internship experiences during studying. I worked for J.W. Anderson during London Fashion Week as an intern and got a 3-month experience as designer assistant of C&A Menswear department. I often do freelance work for fashion brands and magazines. My work includes fashion illustration, graphic design and exhibition planning assistance. I enjoy taking on internships in different kinds of companies as I can directly be in touch with the real industry and the variety of knowledge helps me in my design.
WHO DO YOU HAVE IN MIND WHEN YOU DESIGN?
My dream ambassador is elusive, artistic and has a distinct personality.
WHAT ARE YOUR FUTURE PLANS?
In the beginning of my career, I plan to work for high-end fashion companies to establish networks and refine myself as a designer. In the future, I want to run my own business which combine creativity, design, culture and media.
NAME Yuanxi Sun
COURSE MA Fashion Design Technology Womenswear
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN China
WHAT AND WHERE DID YOU STUDY PRIOR TO YOUR MA AT LCF?
I studied Fashion Design and Pattern Cutting Womenswear at ESMOD International Fashion Institute. Two years in Beijing and one year in Paris. I graduated from ESMOD Paris with a Bachelor degree in Fashion Womenswear.
WHAT INSPIRES YOU?
I always get inspiration from people on the street. I can spend most of my day looking at people passing by; I like to see what they are wearing and how different items can be matched. For this collection, I was inspired by bedroom and sleepwear.
DID YOU UNDERTAKE ANY INTERNSHIPS WHILST STUDYING? AND IF SO, HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT THEM?
Yes. I have lots of internship experiences. My experience has spanned tailoring, womenswear ready-to-wear, fashion PR and fashion styling. I undertook two internships during my study at London College of Fashion. They were: Graphic Intern at Peter Jensen and Stylist Assistant for Schön! Magazine. I quite enjoyed interning in different types of companies, they made it possible for me to meet with people from inside of the industry. Perfect for networking.
WHO DO YOU HAVE IN MIND WHEN YOU DESIGN?
It is hard to specify an ambassador but I prefer androgynous looks.
WHAT ARE YOUR FUTURE PLANS?
I would say I would be working for high-end fashion brands as either fashion designer or pattern cutter. And I could also be building up my own label step by step whilst working
NAME Daniel Yuste
COURSE Fashion Design Technology: Menswear
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN Spain
WHAT AND WHERE DID YOU STUDY PRIOR TO YOUR MA AT LCF?
I studied a BA degree in Fashion Design in Barcelona. I also did short courses of Graphic Design combining my baccalaureate in Arts.
WHAT INSPIRES YOU?
I am seduced by nature. The colours and shapes produced by nature and its creatures are my main source of inspiration. “Insectivore”, my graduate collection is the study of the beetle; its colours, shape and textures.The channels of bio-resin in some of the pieces in the collection represent the photonic crystals of the insect, and their ability to attract light.
Sportswear plays an important role in the design of the pieces. My collection is a mix of technical and futuristic materials that have been inspired by nature – I like to see how they work together.
Protection is the overall theme of the collection and this also comes from both the study of beetle features such as the wing-case and the 1995 thriller “Safe” by Todd Haynes that reflects a society that needs to be protected from chemicals.
DID YOU UNDERTAKE ANY INTERNSHIPS WHILST STUDYING? AND IF SO, HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT THEM?
I worked with both womenswear and menswear designers throughout my studies, namely Martin lamothe, Rui Leonardes and Omar Kashoura.
The experiences were really helpful as I could compare different methods of work and adapt my own style to feel comfortable building the collections. The enthusiasm from the designers I worked with gave me the strength to be prepared in order to control the whole process of design and production.
The main thing I learned is that it is necessary to work hard to make an idea happen, and to be able to achieve that you need to believe in yourself.
WHAT DO YOU WANT FROM YOUR FUTURE COLLECTIONS?
I would like to create a brand that could make people change the way they think and they dress. Therefore, the product becomes unforgettable.
WHAT ARE YOUR FUTURE PLANS?
I’d love to start working for a big company to get more experience of the industry and also to be able to give my ideas of design. I’d like to move to different countries to work and see different visions of fashion. My main goal is to evolve as a designer, and grow up in the Industry.
I will also consider setting up my own brand in the future, because it has always been my dream, but realistically nowadays I think the best option is to start making myself a place in fashion working for a company.
NAME Barbra Kolasinski
COURSE MA Fashion Design & Technology
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN Scotland, UK
WHAT AND WHERE DID YOU STUDY PRIOR TO YOUR MA AT LCF?
I studied my BA at Edinburgh College of Art, Edinburgh, Scotland in Fashion Design.
WHAT INSPIRES YOU?
Emphasis is placed on my background; a Scottish and Polish upbringing is the driving force of my inspiration. Surrounding myself with family, and friends who also would rather sew into the night than a night at Fabric when deadlines need to be met.
DID YOU UNDERTAKE ANY INTERNSHIPS WHILST STUDYING? AND IF SO, HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT THEM?
I undertook an internship prior to entering my MA and one during my studies at LCF. I think it has been very valuable to do these internships as I was able to work with an up and coming designer and then worked with an established designer. This enabled me to understand aspects of the industry and gain insight out with education.
WHAT ARE YOUR FUTURE PLANS?
I’m looking forward to showcasing my work at London Fashion Week and excited to see the opportunities that could come from showing at this event. I would love to set up my own label in the future, however at the present moment I would like to move forward with working within a large team, to produce beautiful work and gain as much knowledge about the industry as possible and to continue to expand my knowledge and learn from the people around me.
NAME Youjia Jin
COURSE MA Fashion Design Technology Womenswear
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN China
WHAT AND WHERE DID YOU STUDY PRIOR TO YOUR MA AT LCF?
I got my BA degree at the Beijing Institute of Fashion and Technology and I completed the Graduate Diploma in Fashion at Central Saint Martin College of Art and Design.
WHAT INSPIRES YOU?
I’m inspired by anatomy. The two concepts of my final project are menswear tailoring and the surreal body arts developed from anatomy. Due to my interest in human body structure, I’ve been exercising unisex pattern cutting on my womenswear collections in recent years. For me, even though there are slightly different parts (such as proportion and organs) between male and female bodies, the muscles and bone structures are principally the same. Meanwhile, this thought triggered me to explore this idea in depth by focusing on analysing the body structure from anatomy, demonstrating certain elements of body structures to enhance the details of my garments, then performing menswear tailoring to finish this collection.
DID YOU UNDERTAKE ANY INTERNSHIPS WHILST STUDYING? AND IF SO, HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT THEM?
I’ve been teaching BA and foundation students, a fashion buyer for Chinese concept stores and an assistant designer for The Moda Studio in Beijing
WHAT IS YOUR FASHION DREAM?
To have my own show at London Fashion Week and to have my collection stocked in the Paris showrooms.
WHAT ARE YOUR FUTURE PLANS?
I’d like to launch my own brand and open a small studio in London. Also, I’m open to working with more established designers from whom I can improve my skills.
Ultimately, I would like to have a brilliant concept store of my own.
NAME XIAOMENG YANG
COURSE MA Fashion Design Technology (Menswear)
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN Henan, China
WHAT AND WHERE DID YOU STUDY PRIOR TO YOUR MA AT LCF?
BA fashion degree at Beijing Institute of Fashion Technology, Beijing, China.
WHAT INSPIRES YOU?
I drew inspiration from hands–the most flexible and complex part of human body. There are a variety of folding lines on the hands and they can be demonstrated by different types of gestures, just like dynamic wrinkles of the clothes which vary with the forms of different postures.
DID YOU UNDERTAKE ANY INTERNSHIPS WHILST STUDYING? AND IF SO, HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT THEM?
Most recently, I worked as a freelance designer in TRANSTREND—Center of International Trend Research and Design, Beijing. Prior to that, I worked as a designer assistant in M.Marvel Fashion Agency, Guangzhou.
These working experiences enhanced my professional ability and enforced my teamwork spirit. Additionally, I have achieved much precious knowledge and experience from other fields.
WHAT IS YOUR FASHION DREAM?
My dream is that one day my collection will be displayed in the Victoria & Albert museum, which I consider to be the world’s greatest museum of art and design. The dialogue between historic and contemporary, east and west, and fine art and design gives it a unique character, and for me holds a particularly special place in my heart.
WHAT ARE YOUR FUTURE PLANS?
I plan to develop a new collection and run my own business. Meanwhile, I’ll launch my own website.
NAME Mariana Jungmann
COURSE MA FDT Womenswear
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN Brazil
WHAT AND WHERE DID YOU STUDY PRIOR TO YOUR MA AT LCF?
I did my BA in Fashion Design at Universidade Anhembi Morumbi in Sao Paulo, than I moved to London and did the Graduate Diploma at LCF.
WHAT INSPIRES YOU?
Everything is a source of inspiration for me. In this collection I was inspired by my childhood memories, but I am also very found of using art, architecture and even philosophy as inspiration.
DID YOU UNDERTAKE ANY INTERNSHIPS WHILST STUDYING? AND IF SO, HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT THEM?
I didn’t undertake any internships whilst studying, unfortunately most internships are not payed and I couldn’t afford to work for free. Instead I worked as a sales assistant in various luxury retailers so I could learn about what my prospective client would like in a brand.
WHAT IS YOUR FASHION DREAM?
Having a campaign photographed by Mario Testino would be a dream come true. It does’t even need to be published anywhere, just the honour of being able to see my garments through his lens would be the biggest award imaginable. But if it could also be printed on the September issue of Vogue, than life would be just perfect.
WHAT ARE YOUR FUTURE PLANS?
I am trying to launch my own brand here in London. Right now I am in the process of gathering funds and working the bureaucratic parts.
NAME Aristides Vanis
COURSE MA Fashion Design Technology: Menswear
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN Greece
WHAT AND WHERE DID YOU STUDY PRIOR TO YOUR MA AT LCF?
I studied the History of Costume and Cinema and Design and Culture of Fashion in Italy
WHAT INSPIRES YOU?
My own dreams and nightmares and my childhood of course
DID YOU UNDERTAKE ANY INTERNSHIPS WHILST STUDYING? AND IF SO, HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT THEM?
I worked in a theatrical company and in two designers’ studios in Athens. While I’ve learned a lot they were not the sort of roles I would want to pursue.
WHAT IS YOUR FASHION DREAM?
I would love to showcase my sketches because they are fantastic!
WHAT ARE YOUR FUTURE PLANS?
I want to create my own line of lounge and homewear
NAME Min Kim
COURSE MA Fashion Design Technology Womenswear
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN Republic of Korea
WHAT AND WHERE DID YOU STUDY PRIOR TO YOUR MA AT LCF?
BA Fashion Design (Womenswear), Sejong University, Seoul, Korea
WHAT INSPIRES YOU?
I am generally inspired by such small-scale items that create unexpected silhouettes and details.
With these silhouettes, I tell stories that are logical but non-objective. My designs tell stories, with which people can feel sympathy
My graduate collection was inspired by the ‘Pink Frilled Dress Syndrome’ which is a kind of mental development stage for young girls and Vee Spears’ photographs ‘The Birthday Party’.
DID YOU UNDERTAKE ANY INTERNSHIPS WHILST STUDYING? AND IF SO, HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT THEM?
I interned as a fashion assistant at Seoul Fashion Week and worked as freelance fashion illustrator.
WHAT ARE YOUR FUTURE PLANS?
I would like to learn more through working for established fashion designers in a variety of countries. After that, I hope to launch my own collection.
NAME Eun Kyeng Seo
COURSE MA Womenswear Fashion Design Technology
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN Republic of Korea
WHAT AND WHERE DID YOU STUDY PRIOR TO YOUR MA AT LCF?
When I was at university in Korea, I was studying theory things about fashion like history, merchandising, and clothing psychology. But at the end of degree I wanted to do designing work, but there was no way for me to find any information about fashion schools or colleges, so I started to Google and tried to find someone who can actually help. Well, I did it. I figured out that I needed a portfolio and a letter and other extra things. It wasn’t that easy, then I thought, as much as I get to know more, there was a huge wall in front of me but I couldn’t afford to move to London. The first place I applied was Graduate Diploma in fashion course in Central Saint Martins, I was wishing to start with the MA course but I was afraid. I wasn’t even sure if I really wanted to be in the fashion industry because I was already exhausted and little bit disappointed while I was preparing for over 8 months. However, a year in CSM turned everything upside down. It was a time for me to figure out a desire I had deep inside me what does design mean to me. However, it wasn’t a enough time to say I learnt enough so I was getting even more sure about going on to do a MA.
WHAT INSPIRES YOU?
Art works, films, light, shadow, people, books, daily life and city… I think it is not about where you get the inspiration, it is how you approach to the inspiration. Once I find what I like to do, I do lot of research. I don’t believe that ideas just come out from middle of nowhere. Some random thing might be the starting point but I don’t call that inspiration.
DID YOU UNDERTAKE ANY INTERNSHIPS WHILST STUDYING? AND IF SO, HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT THEM?
I worked for Studio TooGood which is based in London. It is a pretty cool design studio. It was exactly where I have dreamed of working as a young designer. Basically, they design interiors, furniture and sculpture. They contacted me because they were about to launch a fashion brand. I was really excited because it was my first request and I already had a feeling working there. The special thing about this studio was there is no boundary between different areas. We shared our knowledge and inspired each other. I think this kind of working environment also impressed me and influenced me to make a decision to stay in London and continue to study on a MA.
WHAT ARE YOUR FUTURE PLANS?
I guess this was the question asked the most since I came here. First of all, I am planning to take a long break. Over 7 years, I was studying in higher education and I think it is the time for me to refresh and reflect on everything that I have been through and plan for my next step. Generally I have always admired working for Margiela or Nicolas Ghesquiere and I just discovered myself it would be wonderful if I can get experience from Acne in Sweden. Well, these are my dream jobs. Recently, I received an email from NOISE saying that they would like to invite me to promote my collection. So I guess this will be what I am doing in the close future. Later in my career, I have a desire to educate students in Korea. What I felt mostly while I was studying in London, was the system of the education of fashion is way too far from the industry field
The LCF MA Graduate Show will take place on Friday February 14th.
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