LCF student Emily Latham puts fashion skills to good cause

Emily spent time teaching at the Abetifi Vocational Training Institute and also spent time working at a local dressmaker in Mpraeso to get an inside experience of the Ghanaian textiles industry.

Emily set off with her lesson plans and a small, vintage hand-sewing machine ready to exchange skills, creativity and knowledge with the Ghanaian students.

Emily said, “Studying both fashion design and marketing, I not only wanted to speak about the design process, pattern cutting and sewing but also about branding, marketing and the business side of fashion, which was very relevant as many of the students had ambitions to set up businesses as seamstresses or designers.”

Emily also introduced the Dress A Girl Around the World charity to the vocational college in order to collaborate with students to make simple pillowcase dresses using local fabrics.

About her role as a teacher, Emily said, “I relied a lot on the communication and presentation skills I have improved at LCF, in order to stand in front of a class (and teachers!) and teach!”

One technique Emily shared with the students was the piped pocket technique. In turn, whilst working for a local dressmaker, Emily learnt how make a traditional Kaba and Slit outfit using free-hand pattern cutting techniques.

Emily returned to her studies in London in the autumn, bringing with her a new set of insights and experiences to inspire her work.

London College of Fashion