London College of Fashion

It began with a dream....

For as long as I can remember I have wanted to go to fashion school but not just any fashion school it had to be London College of Fashion. Why, you may be wondering! Well aside from my obsession with London the University is ranked one of the best fashion Business School's in the world for postgraduate studies! London College of Fashion also falls under the University of the Arts umbrella and includes the most famous design school - Central Saint Martins that has produced famous industry leaders such as Stella McCartney. 

What made this dream a reality for me is a scholarship I received from Chevening. Chevening is the UK government’s international awards scheme aimed at developing global leaders. Funded by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) and partner organisations, Chevening offers two types of award – Chevening Scholarships and Chevening Fellowships – the recipients of which are personally selected by British Embassies and High Commissions throughout the world. The Scholarship allows students to study any Master's course at any UK University. Chevening offers a unique opportunity for future leaders, influencers, and decision-makers from all over the world to develop professionally and academically, network extensively, experience UK culture, and build lasting positive relationships with the UK. For the year 2016/2017 60 South Africans were selected on a Chevening Scholarship and I was lucky to be one of them!

Ok so back to the University, studying a Master's at London College of Fashion is no joke! Everyone who thinks attending Fashion School is glamorous guess again, I mean it is Business School after all. The course requires a lot of self-directed study as most masters do but couple this with living in London and having graduated from University many many years I found it to be my biggest challenge. There were days I thought to myself why did I come back to do this I mean I lived in Cape Town had a great job and a great life! But then... 

A conference in Milan surrounded by industry leaders from:
Gucci
Celine
Zegna
Vivienne Westwood
Dolce & Gabanna
TOD’s
Sunglass Hut
Bottega Veneta
Kering
Italian Touch
Canepa
Coccinelle
Bally

A visit from the CEO of Jigsaw: 
Peter Ruis 

Selected for the Kering Project: 
To work on innovative solutions to drive sustainability in the fashion world with the Kering Group which includes the likes of Stella McCartney, Gucci, Saint Laurent, Balenciaga, Alexander McQueen, to name a few!

....and I knew why -  EXPOSURE!!!

This was just some of the exposure we had to industry leaders. We also had guest speakers from Urban Outfitters, Edited, Longchamp and many more.Not only were we given the opportunity to listen to these amazing industry leaders but we are able to network with them and even add them on linkedIn - Unbelievable right! 

To date it has been an unsurpassed experience and I encourage all of you who even have just an inclination to study abroad to go ahead and pursue it!


Below some of my pics from University and some of the Chevening experience...

The Vogue Archives

That 70's Style

Who remembers that 70's show? 

The series focused on the lives of a group of teenage friends living in the fictional suburban town of Point Place, Wisconsin. Featuring one of my favourite couples Mila Kunis and Ashton Kutcher I loved the series! Not only was the humour fantastic but the fashion, gosh did I love the fashion. Which is why I couldn't be happier now that the 70's style is back in heavy rotation. Take a trip back to the era of free love and positive vibes by embracing how retro has become modern again in the key trends below.

The Retro-Fitted Lace up Top and Dress

Lace-up details were seen on countless Spring 2015 runways (Gucci, Louis Vuitton and Givenchy to name just a few. Being rendered in everything from work-appropriate knits to off-duty chambray, the sexy, casual style is no longer relegated to hippie enclaves and vintage images of Jane Birkin vacationing on the French Riviera. 

Suede

Suede was the fabric of the '70s, used in all sorts of silhouettes including dresses, capes, and skirts. I don't think there is anything bigger than suede to pull of this trend, I recently travelled to New York where retailers are displaying their fall (Autumn) ranges and suede was everywhere from Jackets, Shirts, skirts, shorts, jumpsuits and even ponchos. If you wanted only 1 piece to rock the 70's trend I would have to say make sure it is suede. The suede button front skirt is really easy to pull off and is available at most retailers.

 

Aren't we just loving these shoes!

For those who want something a little different try suede dresses, jackets or wraps

Off the Shoulders

Off-the-shoulder styles, especially, have found a stake in the resurgence, but this time around, they've been re-imagined with sleeker fits and fresher shades. To bring the top into the 21st century, lend some edge and counter the Boho aesthetic with a cool pair of distressed boyfriend jeans or a black leather pencil skirt. For a more put-together take, choose an off-the-shoulder top without all the prints and frills, and couple it with tailored culottes. 

70's Denim

Denim is undergoing a transformation for , updating shapes with a fresh range of inspirational, fashion-forward themes. The 70's theme has been a huge influence on this transformation from flattering flares, hippie-chic hemlines, casual faded shades dungarees and button front a-line skirts take a look at 70’s Chic Denim, a women’s denim trend that breathes new life retro styles to create 70’s-inspired pieces with a clean, contemporary aesthetic.

Fringe

Fringe has been this biggest trend for a few seasons now and seems to be continuing into next Autumn - Winter. If you find an item that is suede and with fringe you will be the fashionista. Though fringe might seem like a trickier trend to pull off, it works really well on coats, jackets and skirts, as well as on accessories like handbags and shoes. Needless to say, you can wear it just about anywhere.