News

This week, there’s no escape, it’s all about graduate fever. Kicking off the proceedings was The London College of Fashion, and while the renowned college has a stand at GFW some of you may have noticed its absence from the catwalk schedule. The reason: its LCF’s centenary year, so in celebration they’ve decided to do things a tad differently. JoJo Iles popped along for a taste of the action…

This years LCF grads were treated to their very own catwalk show at the Royal Academy last Thursday night. Attracting an impressive front row line-up such as: Roland Mouret, Colin McDowell, Zandra Rhodes and Jimmy Choo, you’d think you were at London Fashion Week.

With 25 graduate collections to get through it was fantastic to see so much innovation and diversity. Each designer had something to offer in terms of creativity and new ideas while maintaining an essential balance of quality and commercial appeal.

Show highlights included; kinky Parisian chic by Kristina Nilsson, think skin tight rubber combined with sharp tailoring in hues of black, slate and an accent of acid yellow.

Edward Khang provided tailoring with a twist with his exaggerated collars and unusual detailing, while Rebecca Yong revealed she wasn’t shy of colour with her flattering light-as-air collection in vibrant contrasting tones.

The 80s often provides a strong reference point for many a fashion student and this year a plethora of stretch jersey, leggings and batwing sleeves hinted at the era more than ever. Other cross-over trends to take note of included; a play on volume combined with fitted shapes, intricate panelling, random draping and dramatic collars.

For the boys, meanwhile, Rukiat Shagaya had fun with nerdy dressing, Ichiro Suzuki bravely combined traditional checks, stripes and diamonds, while Clare Buckle gave her men a lean and clean silhouette with skinny bumster denims and fine fitted knits.

                     
For those that missed the LCF catwalk show designs by this years students will be on display at the LCF graduate exhibition at the college from Monday 26th June. Meanwhile, the LCF plans to continue with its Birthday celebrations with a whole host of events, coming soon…

New Directions in Fashion Research
Exhibition: Monday 11 - Friday 29 September 2006
Conference: 27 & 28 September 2006
To mark its 100th anniversary the college will hold a Centenary Conference with a linked exhibition. Profiling current cutting-edge research at LCF the conference will explore future directions in research across a breadth of theoretical and practice-based fashion-related subjects.

Fashioning The Future For 100 Years
A Centenary Exhibition Monday
9 October - Friday 24 November 2006
Curated by Amy de la Haye and Judith Clarke this exhibition charts the 100 years of London College of Fashion through a variety of archive material and personal accounts and contributions.

Lectures & Debates
As part of the current wider debate about health, sport, fitness and wellbeing, London College of Fashion will hold a series of challenging topical discussions examining these issues and will incorporate research and special student projects into the curriculum.

The series starts in November with a debate lead by Alexandra Shulman (Editor, British Vogue) discussing body image.

In Conversation With...
Throughout the centenary period, London College of Fashion will continue to run its series of 'in conversation with...' evening events. Confirmed participants include: Colin McDowell, David Downton, Mario Testino, Erin O'Connor and Tiffany Darke (Editor, Sunday Times Style).

Safe & Sound
February 2007
Personal experiences of bullying, dyslexia, OCD, eating disorders and body image concerns, financial stress and loneliness are laid bare in this honest and challenging photographic exhibition.

A special issue of i-D magazine will be published in December 2006, dedicated entirely to the project.

Where Will We Be In 2106?
May 2007
BA (Hons) Fashion Promotion Students investigate where fashion might take us in the next one hundred years. With a particular focus on garment technology, sports, internet tools and the role of the web, the exhibition will showcase work in a variety of media, including film and magazine features.

Centenary Book Launch
London College of Fashion has commissioned the writing of a centenary publication, celebrating all that London College of Fashion has achieved and its vision for the future, with contributions from those close to the college and fashion industry luminaries. The book will be published in June 2007, with a special launch event.

Check out the website for more details www.fashion.arts.ac.uk  

Images courtesy of the LCF and Chris Moore www.catwalking.com