London College of Fashion

In this episode, we explore the challenges of entering competitions and how this can push you to be more creative than ever, evolve your ideas, think on your feet and accelerate your confidence. Hosted by Graduate Futures Enterprise Consultant, Carla Frith, she is joined by LCF alumni and founders, Abigail Ajobi and Neha Mathew. They will discuss their experience of taking part in the annual LCF Enterprise Challenge and other competitions and how they have continued to develop their work following the experience.

Hainsworth x LCF is an annual collaboration with heritage luxury fabric mill A W Hainsworth and the final year students of the BA Bespoke Tailoring Course. This podcast was recorded on 8.10.25 to reflect on last year's collaboration, before launching the new project for 2025, which for the first time also will include embroidery students. A closing conversation recorded on 19.3.25 summarizes the progress of the work across Bespoke Tailoring and Embroidery courses and students and looking forward to a showcase in July 2025. This episode features alumni from last year who were finalists in the competition, talking us through their experience of collaborating with A W Hainsworth to produce bespoke quality jacquards to create high quality, unique and luxury cloths for their final graduate collections presented in the summer of 2024. Content Created and Presented by Elaine Buchanan, Senior Lecturer, Creative Direction Group Guests: Alumni: Matilda Jonathon (Tilda), Anastasiia Inozemtceva, Jingyi Xhou Academic and Industry: Daniel Poulson, Course Leader, BA Bespoke Tailoring, Andrea Noble, Design and Product Development Manager, A W Hainsworth & Sons Ltd, Rob Lye, Audio Producer, Alex Marshall, Series Editor, Technical Coordinator: Online Content Production Further Links: London College of Fashion BA Bespoke Tailoring X Hainsworth 23/24 https://www.hainsworth.co.uk/london-college-of-fashion-bespoke-tailoring-x-hainsworth-2023-24-jacquard-weaving/ London College of Fashion BA Bespoke Tailoring X Hainsworth 23/24 https://www.hainsworth.co.uk/london-college-of-fashion-bespoke-tailoring-x-hainsworth-2023-24-jacquard-weaving/ London College of Fashion BA Bespoke Tailoring X Hainsworth 22/23 https://www.arts.ac.uk/colleges/london-college-of-fashion/stories/hainsworth-and-sons-collaborate-with-the-next-generation-of-lcf-tailors Fashion BA Bespoke Tailoring Instagram   @lcfbespoketailoring

In this episode, we explore the exciting world of beauty and cosmetics. Hosted by Course Leader in MSc Cosmetic Science Diogo Baltazar and final-year MSc student Amna-Janine Beau-Elsayed, they are joined by MSc Cosmetic Science alumna Rachael Polowyj, Business Development Manager at IMCD Group. They will discuss Rachael's impressive career journey, the latest beauty trends, and the diverse breadth of beauty and cosmetics roles available and share valuable advice for pursuing your dream career in this industry. - Learn more about LCF Graduate Futures: www.arts.ac.uk/colleges/london-c…/graduate-futures - Email graduate.futures@fashion.arts.ac.uk for a full audio transcript.

Chaired by Dr Cyana Madsen Students, Madison Hough and Emma Wichert discuss, 'Exploring exhibition dialogue as a catalyst for change.'

Chaired by Dr Cyana Madsen Students, Pauline Smith, Zoè Zacharatou and Lucy Jenner-Brown discuss, "Navigating Research, Finding and Disseminating Fashion Narratives".

Chaired by Dr Cyana Madsen Students, Georgie Hitchins and Divya Nayak discuss, "Exhibiting Fashion - The Physical and Digital"

Students from LCF's Graduate Diploma Fashion Management and Marketing in conversation.

Students from LCF's Graduate Diploma Fashion Management and Marketing in conversation.

Students from LCF's Graduate Diploma Fashion Management and Marketing in conversation.

Students from LCF's Graduate Diploma Fashion Management and Marketing in conversation.

In this episode we'll be discussing all things portfolios. Joined by Juliet Edosa, BA Fashion Design Technology: Menswear graduate and founder of Lace and Needles London, we'll be deep diving into what makes a great portfolio and what common mistakes to avoid. We'll also be hearing from attendees from our recent LCF Placements Showcase about their experience of the Speed Portfolio Review sessions, what they learnt and the advice they'd give fellow students about curating a portfolio. - Email placements@fashion.arts.ac.uk to get placement support from the LCF Graduate Futures Placements Team - Learn more about LCF Graduate Futures: https://www.arts.ac.uk/colleges/london-college-of-fashion/graduate-futures - Email graduate.futures@fashion.arts.ac.uk for a full audio transcript. 

In this podcast you will hear Deborah Britz (Supervisor on the Collaborative Challenge) discuss how she encourages students to find ways to communicate and work together. Deborah reminds us of the fun, value and importance of collaboration.

Listen to how they slowly developed professional working relationships and shared their expertise to create innovative fashion business solutions.

Listen to how collectivity they found new ways to transmit the tactile physicality of textiles in a digital space.

In partnership with Centre for Sustainable Fashion, UAL. Listen to this team discuss and celebrate their experiences of working together and what role activism can play when tackling cultural appropriation.

In this episode, we dive into the unique challenges and incredible strengths of freelancing as a neurodivergent individual. Join us as we catch up with Niamh Coughlan, graduate from BA Fashion Design Technology: Womenswear, ahead of the launch of her second collection which embraces her values of inclusivity, sustainability and heritage. From managing focus and energy to leveraging creativity and innovation, this conversation is packed with practical tips, personal stories, and strategies to help neurodiverse freelancers thrive. Whether you're navigating ADHD, autism, dyslexia, or any other form of neurodiversity, this episode offers insights on building a career that works with your brain, not against it. Tune in for thoughtful perspectives and actionable ideas to shape your freelancing journey on your terms. • Check out NE Coughlan: https://necoughlan.com/ • Find out more about Access to Work: https://www.gov.uk/access-to-work • Learn more about the Disability Confident Employer Scheme: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/disability-confident-campaign • Learn more about LCF Graduate Futures: www.arts.ac.uk/colleges/london-c…/graduate-futures • Email graduate.futures@fashion.arts.ac.uk for a full audio transcript.

In this insightful episode, we catch up with Niamh Coughlan, graduate from BA Fashion Design Technology: Womenswear, two years after stepping out of the classroom and into the industry. From the highs and lows of navigating the freelance world whilst also employed, to the unexpected twists that shaped her career path, Niamh shares an honest reflection on life post-graduation. Now a Freelance Designer with her own apparel brand, she'll talk about the challenges of comparing herself to others, keeping momentum when you're self-employed and how her dreams have evolved. Whether you're a student aspiring to make your mark or a professional looking for a fresh perspective, tune in for candid advice, lessons learned, and inspiration for your own fashion journey. • Graduated between may-June 2023? Find out more about Graduate Outcomes: www.graduateoutcomes.ac.uk/about-survey • Check out NE Coughlan: https://necoughlan.com/ • Learn more about LCF Graduate Futures: www.arts.ac.uk/colleges/london-c…/graduate-futures • Email graduate.futures@fashion.arts.ac.uk for a full audio transcript.

In this insightful episode, we catch up with Jake Jell, recent graduate from BA Fashion Buying and Merchandising, one year after stepping out of the classroom and into the industry. From the highs and lows of navigating his first job, to the unexpected twists that shaped his career path, Jake shares an honest reflection on life post-graduation. Now a Buying Assistant for Harrods, he'll talk about the challenges of breaking into the creative world, the skills he wishes he had honed earlier, and how his dreams have evolved. Whether you're a student aspiring to make your mark or a professional looking for a fresh perspective, tune in for candid advice, lessons learned, and inspiration for your own fashion journey. • Graduated between may-June 2023? Find out more about Graduate Outcomes: www.graduateoutcomes.ac.uk/about-survey • Learn more about LCF Graduate Futures: www.arts.ac.uk/colleges/london-c…/graduate-futures • Email graduate.futures@fashion.arts.ac.uk for a full audio transcript.

This podcast discusses the market implications of the recently published results from leading luxury groups, including changing consumer preferences, the sector's China problem and the never-ending Creative Director musical chairs, with graduates from marketing courses.

Ginerva Calo, MA Strategic Fashion Marketing graduate and Ena Udemba, MA Fashion Design Management graduate, discuss inclusivity of women in the fashion industry with Hannah Middleton, Knowledge Exchange Lead for the Fashion Business School. What we choose to wear as women, shapes our self-expression and identity, yet often women are restricted by fashion brands in their wardrobe choices. Join us in discussing the role of sizing, brand activism and femvertising in fostering brand equity and female empowerment among female consumers.

The podcast is centred on discussing two dissertation projects: one investigating the psychological effects of athleisure-wear on well-being and healthy eating intentions, and the other exploring Gen Z's attraction to live streaming and e-commerce. In discussion with Kim Gerber, MA Strategic Fashion Marketing, Madison Ridings, MSc Applied Psychology in Fashion and Huanyun Yao, MA Global Fashion Retailing.

This podcast explores sustainability, in the context of fashion marketing, considering consumer attitudes to sustainability, and the ways in which we can communicate and engage consumers in sustainable purchasing. In discussion with graduates Eva Dojackova, MA Strategic Fashion Marketing and Manvi Jainth, MA Fashion Marketing & Sustainability.

This podcast discusses the potential of AI and technology applications for the fashion industry through the three research perspectives of graduates Lucy Vidler - MA Applied Psychology, Prerna Kalra - MA Strategic Fashion Marketing and Janani Devaranjan - MA Fashion Design Management. It explores topics such as digital nudging, human vs AI stylists, algorithmic aesthetics and generative parametric methodologies for footwear development.

This podcast explores Generation Z's approach to fashion and identity, gender, inclusivity, diversity, and sustainability with research-based insights and personal anecdotes from Janhvi Chopra and Matej Boch, both MA Fashion Marketing & Global Cultures course graduates.

In this insightful episode, we catch up with Maddison House, recent graduate from BA Fashion Design and Development, one year after stepping out of the classroom and into the industry. From the highs and lows of navigating their first job, to the unexpected twists that shaped her career path, Maddison shares an honest reflection on life post-graduation. Now a Trainee Product Developer for Reiss, she'll talk about the challenges of breaking into the fashion world, the skills she wishes she had honed earlier, and how her dreams have evolved. Whether you're a student aspiring to make your mark or a professional looking for a fresh perspective, tune in for candid advice, lessons learned, and inspiration for your own fashion journey. • Graduated between may-June 2023? Find out more about Graduate Outcomes: https://www.graduateoutcomes.ac.uk/about-survey • Learn more about LCF Graduate Futures: www.arts.ac.uk/colleges/london-c…/graduate-futures • Email graduate.futures@fashion.arts.ac.uk for a full audio transcript.

The Thread | Fashion Marketing Unravelled | 2 by London College of Fashion

Thames Mudlark Florrie Evans calls herself a committed lifetime mudlark. She grew up in south west London near the River Thames, and at low tide this was her playground. The first thing she remembers collecting as a child were bits of blue and white pottery. Over the last 15 years, she has become a committed mudlark, and since 2014 she's been taking her young daughter with her. Florrie is a member of the Society of Mudlarks and is licensed by the Port of London Authority to dig to 2 metres in the river bed. In this interview she explains why she goes mudlarking and the pleasure she gets out of it. Over time she's learnt to read the tides and where to look. She talks about the different styles of mudlarks - some striding out along the foreshore, some spending up to 2 hours in one small patch. She's made many finds over the years, which she washes and presents as beautifully as possible. Among her collection are many buttons, including pearly buttons and shards of shells they were carved from. She talks about the Pearly button industry, a cottage industry mainly undertaken by women along the Thames who would purchase cheap buckets of shells from incoming ships. The shells were taken to their homes and carved into mother-of-pearl buttons.

In this episode, we talk about how to kick-start a business whilst you are a student. Our guests are Chamiah Dewey, Emily Taylor and Hanan Tantush, 3 alumni who are running award winning businesses started during their times at London College of Fashion. They shared insights on the ups and downs of being an entrepreneur, plus advice on how to grow a business and win some competitions along the way! • If you're a current student and was inspired by these stories, consider entering the Enterprise Challenge! You can find more details and how to apply here: https://moodle.arts.ac.uk/mod/page/view.php?id=748462 • Learn more about LCF Graduate Futures: https://www.arts.ac.uk/colleges/london-college-of-fashion/graduate-futures • Email graduate.futures@fashion.arts.ac.uk for a full audio transcript.

Mapping More Mischief Guided Walk | 7 Shell Grottos And A Morrice Bow Church by London College of Fashion

Mapping More Mischief Guided Walk | 7 Shell Grottos And A Morrice Bow Church by London College of Fashion

Mapping More Mischief Guided Walk | 6 The Pearlies Bow Bells Pub by London College of Fashion

Mapping More Mischief Guided Walk | 5 Bow Fair Blue Plaque 3 Fairfield Road by London College of Fashion

Mapping More Mischief Guided Walk | 4 Suffragettes Procession And Pageants 555 Roman Road by London College of Fashion

Mapping More Mischief Guided Walk | 3 Beating The Bounds Victoria Park by London College of Fashion

Mapping More Mischief Guided Walk | 2 Graffiti And Rave Lord Napier Pub by London College of Fashion

Mapping More Mischief Guided Walk | 1 Narrow Boat Art White Post Lane Bridge by London College of Fashion

Mapping More Mischief Guided Walk | Introduction by London College of Fashion

In this episode, we hear from two LCF alumni as they share their personal journeys and best practices for navigating the ever-changing fashion jobs market. Freelance Fashion Forecaster and Senior Strategist Angela Baidoo (BA Fashion Design and Development 2005), Co-Founder of The Fashion Blueprint, and Sustainable Fashion Business Specialist Giovanna Vieira (BA Fashion Management 2017) will offer insights into job search strategies, application processes, and creating opportunities to suit your skill set. They will also share how they accomplished securing roles at Burberry, Selfridges, Ganni, and WGSN as well as starting their freelance practices. • Email graduate.futures@fashion.arts.ac.uk for a full audio transcript.

Kinsi Abdullah is an artist interested in championing and preserving the textiles, fashions, art and crafts of the Somali community in Britain. Three decades ago she set up Numbi Arts in Stratford and works collaboratively with other organisations to 'take over' venues and put on Somali events. She hopes one day to create a Somali museum and has a clear vision of what this would look like. Mellany Robinson is the project manager of the Museum of British Folklore. This also has no physical base, and in this interview, Mellany and Kinsi swap experiences of setting up a museum.

Mellany Robinson and Amy de la Haye are two of the trio responsible for the Making Mischief exhibition. Along with designer Simon Costin, they came up with the idea of bringing folk costumes together from all over the UK, first at Compton Verney in Warwickshire and then at the London College of Fashion's new building in Stratford for a second London-orientated show. In this interview they discuss their backgrounds and how they met and collaborated. Both have a particular interest in costumes worn by ordinary people for special events, particularly important days in the seasonal calendar. They also champion and value worn, mended and perished clothes.

Carol Alevroyianni and Richard Broderick are the key people behind the Whitley Bay Carnival which was revived in 2013. It's thought the carnival first ran a hundred years ago but petered out over the years, was revived in the 1980s but again disappeared. It's now flourishing again, and many local groups and schools get involved, with around a thousand people taking part in the parade, and more than 10,000 watching it. Carol and Richard explain that the carnival is artist-led, and all the costumes are informed by artists. The 10th anniversary parade was led by a giant animated puppet called Billy, which was made by Richard.

Making Mischief Oral History Project, W'hitley Bay Carnival - Richard Broderick & Carol Alevroyianni by London College of Fashion

Carol Alevroyianni and Richard Broderick are the key people behind the Whitley Bay Carnival which was revived in 2013. It's thought the carnival first ran a hundred years ago but petered out over the years, was revived in the 1980s but again disappeared. It's now flourishing again, and many local groups and schools get involved, with around a thousand people taking part in the parade, and more than 10,000 watching it. Carol and Richard explain that the carnival is artist-led, and all the costumes are informed by artists. The 10th anniversary parade was led by a giant animated puppet called Billy, which was made by Richard.

Simon Pipe is the creator of the Banbury Hobby Horse. In 2000 councillors in the town of Banbury in Oxfordshire wanted to capitalise on the famous nursery rhyme 'Ride a cock horse to Banbury Cross'. Simon, who was a Morris dancer and had attended one-day events like Jack in the Green in Hastings, suggested a hobby horse festival for Banbury. The councillors agreed to it and the event started to take place annually. People created their own hobby horses and brought them to Banbury to parade through the streets. Simon's hobby horse is a white creature with ping pong eyes, four legs and a blue horse rug covering the wearer.

Mattie has been clowning for 52 years, and in this interview he talks about becoming a clown, creating his ‘look', making his first costume and designing the one he wears now. He describes the many things he's done in his career including working abroad, performing in theatres, being a laughter therapist in a children's hospital, meeting the Queen and appearing on TV shows. He is now the archivist for Clowns International, and the curator of the Clown Museum. The museum collection also contains the clown egg register, approx. 300 eggs with clown faces on them. Every year Mattie organises the annual Clown service celebrating clowns since Grimaldi and commemorating those that have passed.

Michael Fowell has been dancing in the Abbots Bromley Horn Dance since he was 7 years old. He's now 29 and proud to be involved in a tradition which goes back hundreds of years. In fact, the reindeer horns worn by the performers (which hang on the wall of St Nicholas' church in Abbots Bromley for the rest of the year) are more than 1000 years old. The dancers consist of six deer men, a Fool, hobby horse, bowman and Maid Marian. They perform all around the neighbourhood covering about 10 miles during the day. Michael's family has been involved for generations. He carries the No 4 horn which is the lightest one.

Moira Budge first got involved in the Orkney Festival of the Horse in the late 1970s when her son was about 7. The event is held annually on the island of South Ronaldsay. Traditionally boys would take part in a ploughing match, copying their fathers and grandfathers and using miniature ploughs made from horn or bone. In the mid 1950s, girls started joining in, dressed as plough horses. The costumes were basic at first but have become more and more elaborate. Moira describes an outfit she made for her daughter Amy out of an old school blazer decorated with buttons, ribbons, pom poms and lace. The 'horses' also wear decorated yokes round their necks.

Malik was born in the Gambia but moved to the UK as a child. He set up Yaram Arts to showcase African music, culture and dance. Moulaye is a 'zimbalia' artist (a medieval art form) and performs with Yaram regularly. He is Senegalese and moved to the UK in 2010 where he met Malik. They promote African Carnival (pre-dating Caribbean carnival but there are many links between the two practices). Moulaye performs the Zimba Lion Masquerade which originates in Senegal. He wears a lion costume, made of hairy material with a headdress and neck piece made of cowrie shells.

Bettina and her husband Richard set up Para Carnival in 2010. She describes it as an all-inclusive carnival group working with vulnerable people. Many of the members are disabled, use wheelchairs or live with conditions such as autism. About 400 people take part each season in dance classes, festivals and local parties, and many take part in both the Notting Hill and Hackney Carnivals as well. Richard is the main costume-maker. He once made a Bayana costume for a wheelchair in one night. For each carnival, they come up with a theme such as Egyptian or Windrush. They either create costumes from scratch or modify previous costumes.

Bob Crouch won the Doggett's Coat and Badge Race in 1958, the year he completed his apprenticeship as a waterman on the River Thames. It's the oldest rowing race in the world and has been continuously run for more than 200 years. Bob competed against 4 other apprentices and won against the odds. The prize is the right to wear the red coat and badge. Bob explains how he felt when  he won the race, what the coat is like to wear and the pride he feels in upholding the Doggett's tradition. He has written a book on the subject called 'The Coat of Mr Doggett'.

Ian was a puppeteer before becoming a clown. He created his clown persona Gingernut (because of his red hair) on a cruise in 1976. His first costume came from a London store and was a Royal Stewart tartan suit. He used plastic gingernut biscuits for the buttons. Over the years Ian has learnt skills and tricks associated with clowning such as tightrope walking and magic. He has worked abroad and in many different environments. Later in his career his costumes were made for him by a lady called Heidi who designed things like false arms for some of his characters. In Ian's view, clowns are part of folk tradition and have much in common with fools, jesters and comic Morris characters.