Elie partners LAU & LCF to support fashion design program

The agreement was signed by LAU President Dr. Joseph G. Jabbra and Head of LCF Dr. Frances Corner in a ceremony that took place at the college’s campus in central London on November 5. Lebanese Ambassador to the United Kingdom Inaam Osseiran and renowned fashion designer Elie Saab also attended.

It is the first major strategic partnership in the field of fashion design between a prominent international fashion house, a leading American academic institution in the Middle East and a globally recognized fashion college.

“The vision behind LAU’s fashion design program was to offer the region’s students an education of the highest possible international standards without having to travel too far from home,” said Saab, honorary chairman of the program. “I am pleased with the agreement, which is a major step toward creating a regional hub for talented designers.”

LAU launched the Bachelor of Arts in Fashion Design in collaboration with ELIE SAAB in March 2013, with a view to creating a fashion design program that is both relevant to Arab culture and international in scope. The inaugural class enrolled this September.

LCF will oversee the implementation of the program by delivering curriculum consultancy and quality assurance services to LAU.

“LAU is honored to be partnering with two internationally recognized fashion industry leaders,” said Jabbra at the signing ceremony. “Their expertise will provide our students with an even stronger academic degree in fashion design in line with international practices,” he added.

LCF has an international reputation as a leading provider of fashion education, research and consultancy. Many of the college’s courses are unique to the U.K. and offer students an experience unmatched by even a handful of specialist colleges worldwide.

“We are pleased to be partnering with LAU as their strong ethos for academic achievement mirrors that of LCF,” said Corner. “Developing international relationships such as this is vital to LCF as we look to develop our own understanding of the global fashion market as well as share our own expertise with our partners.”

Lebanese American University