Fashion is more than just about clothes. It communicates who we are and our uniqueness.
With Fibre2Fashion Correspondent Cindrella Thawani, Professor Frances Corner portrays her outlook at London being a fashion capital makes a good destination for students, further, she insights her views on how one should endeavor smartly to get a break into the industry.
Synopsis:
Professor Frances Corner has been Head of College at London College of Fashion (LCF), part of University of the Arts London, since 2005.
Professor Corner was a London Leader for Sustainability and regularly speaks on this subject, world-wide. Besides, she has been awarded an OBE for Services to Fashion in the 2009
She has also been the Chair of CHEAD (Council for Higher Education in Art and Design), and an executive committee member for IFFTI (International Foundation of Fashion Technology Institutes).
Excerpts:
How does it feel being the Principal of such a prestigious College, in a position of huge responsibility?
I feel privileged to be at the helm of one of the world’s leading fashion colleges. It is a position of great responsibility and also influence, which I believe should be used to bring about innovation and change in the industry and in fashion education.
‘Fashion’-this word is very glamorous! And, it influences a lot to a student. This either can be an illusion or a reality for the student in context to his/her career?
Fashion is about glamour but it is also a powerful way of communicating, inspiring and engaging people on important issues. Take Catalytic Clothing for example, (https://www.catalytic-clothing.com/) a great example of using the vehicle of fashion for the common good.
Fashion is more than just about clothes. It communicates who we are and our uniqueness. Fashion allows self expression, and for us to explore our true nature as human beings. Here at LCF, we teach fashion in the broadest sense from ethical issues to the catwalk, and aim to arm our students with all the tools necessary to be truly successful after graduating.
What are those key emerging markets for aspiring designers to boost their further careers? Why?
Designers can greatly benefit from experience, which can be gained overseas in the countries that are actively involved in the production of fashion garments - these include China, India, Vietnam, Bangladesh and Turkey to name a few. A new graduate having the opportunity to gain even the smallest insight of garment or textile production is invaluable.
Understanding what really goes on within the factories and mills can help convey the impact even the smallest design choice can have, not only on the production schedule and complexity, but also on the cost of the final garment. For design graduates to understand the realities of production will help inform their design choices and be of enormous benefit to them throughout their careers.
Besides, opportunities represented by digital markets should also not be underestimated. Fledgling designers can establish themselves with little or no overheads, which can be of huge benefit.
2012 has been an incredible year for UK, with Olympic opening and closing ceremonies; further London Fashion Week; also its capital entitled as most stylish city. How it would be supportive for the students in their respective careers?
London is one of the fashion capitals of the world, which makes it such a good destination for our students. They have London at their feet, with some of the world’s best art galleries, architecture, boutiques and clubs and bars in the world, which makes it the perfect place for fashion students to find inspiration. Moreover, we hope that many more people across the world will come and study here.
How do you see the market scenario, such as getting a break into the industry?
We encourage students to gain work experience whilst studying, which is much more important than it used to be in terms of gaining a foothold in the industry. Employers see this as an advantage (as well as good academic qualifications) in a competitive jobs market.
Besides, our students are also encouraged to networking as much as possible, attending industry talks, being involved in industry projects whilst studying and making contacts, can all help in the search for a first job and are useful skills to have throughout your career.
Which are those new courses that are gaining importance among students, world-wide? Please describe.
Our new Executive MBA in Fashion is the first of its kind in the world. This course will help to develop talented people in the fashion industry, and provide them with the skills, which will be invaluable to those individuals and the industry as a whole.
Creative Direction is a very ‘niche’ area of the process of fashion promotion, which is proving hugely popular with students from all backgrounds and from around the world, which is borne out of a ‘need’ for this type of future creative director within the industry.
All of our ‘Integrated Masters’ postgraduate courses are also proving popular as they allow students the opportunity to gain a higher qualification, and one year’s industrial placement. These courses also have ‘global’ outlook, which is important in today’s job market (such as the MSc International Fashion Management and MDes International Fashion Production Management.
There is cut-throat competition in the market, globally. What is your formula for students for their healthy future panorama?
A big part of our work focuses on providing students and graduates with the tools they need to enhance their chances of finding work. Whilst we broker many student placements and graduate vacancies directly, we also ensure that our cohort understands how to strategically plan their job search, develop networks and of course self promote.
The role we play also focuses on utilising industry contacts as careers coaches, through mentoring individuals and talks on recruitment processes and core professional skills to large groups of students considering their next step after higher education.
Moreover, more industry exposure that LCF students can get before leaving the college ensures that they have a higher chance of showcasing their talents at an earlier stage than their competitors from other educational backgrounds or experiences.
Rather than theory, fashion is more about practical wisdom. What are those practical facets that you are guiding your students? Please explain.
The college’s heritage is routed in well established technical trade schools, which were opened to train in the art of dressmaking, millinery, embroidery and hairdressing. This means that all of our courses have a firm grounding in the practical skills necessary to make beautiful items.
Fashion education today, whilst having a firm foot in technical skill development, is also about understanding the psychology behind fashion and developing the ability to think more about the work and ourselves. Practical areas of teaching are responsive to this. Research skills underpin the understanding of colour, texture, pattern, print, shape, fabric, finish, pattern cutting, construction, illustration, computer aided design, typography, surface textiles, etc.
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