London College of Fashion graduates gain presence

If London is the fashion capital synonymous with

giving presence to young, creative talent, there seems to be a new playing field as London College of Fashion has recently made a big push to give their MA program designers a chance to showcase to international buyers and editors on the main fashion week schedule.

Normally the first day excitement is reserved for the hype surrounding the Central St Martins graduate show, where London’s fashion elite get to see the new breed of talent upcoming. But LCF for the first time in February also had a first day show, where high profile designers, JW Anderson, Nicholas Kirkwood and Charlotte Dellal once studied.

In a less is more approach, the shorter presentation compared to the full flung CSM show, included new names to know across mens and womenswear, Nadia Scullion, Min Wu and Na Ding. Whilst there is always likely to be comparison between the output of the two schools, one distinct difference is the immediate wearability of the LCF students compared to more conceptual offerings over at CSM, and in these times, what is more desirable than instant hanger worthy garments.

Nigel Luck, director of the womenswear MA course at LCF, is reluctant to pinpoint the exact differences between the two schools, but he does say that LCF’s final collections are not about concept alone. “I’m not about ramming an idea out. I’m trying to encourage students to create a mix so that there are garments which can be hung up immediately in, say, Selfridges. At the same time, there are pieces that are more about showmanship.”