LONDON COLLEGE OF FASHION - ENGAGING WITH THE INDUSTRY

1. 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

2. 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.

3. University of the Arts London: Mission 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”

4. 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

5. 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

6. FASHION BUSINESS RESOURCE 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

7. 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

8. The Needs of the Stakeholders

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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!

12. Work Placements- examples

13. 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.

14. 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

15. 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.

16. 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

17. MCM Heritage – Cognac Visetos

18. LCF/MCM @ Harrods Magazine & Egyptian Hall LCF/MCMExhibition April 2009

19. MCM/LCF collaboration Conclusions Rina Hansen April 2009

21. FIRST MOVEFor the Creative IndustriesBy the Creative Industries

22. 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

23. Connect, Inform, Inspire Thank you for listening Dr Julia Wolny Director of Fashion Business Resource Studio j.wolny@fashion.arts.ac.uk