JCA names key partners for new sustainability-focused MA

By

Nigel TAYLOR

Published
Apr 12, 2023

Professor Jimmy Choo’s JCA/London Fashion Academy has partnered with some key names to launch a new course that’s focused on clear results for innovative entrepreneurial designers.

It has linked with Lone Design Club, RCGD Global (Red Carpet Green Dress), Vogue Italia and Graduate Fashion Foundation for its newly-launched MA Course in Entrepreneurship in Design and Brand Innovation. 

The scholarship-supported, sustainability-focused course “seeks to identify, curate and launch the very best sustainable designer-entrepreneurs from across the UK”.

With government funding for UK applicants, funding for global scholarships and the resources made available through the partnership, the programme is “seeking to attract the very best sustainable design talent that will be supported to develop a commercially viable brand, create and manufacture its first collection, be launched at London Fashion Week and be immediately available for purchase at Lone Design Club”.

With a clear focus on sustainable materials, business models and creative practice, the MA programme has sustainable design and enterprise creation as its distinctive central feature. Learners (described by the JCA as designer-entrepreneurs) will identify and develop their brand, by making their founding collection. Crucially, it said the programme will “purposefully embrace an eclectic mix of design paths, whether that be men's, women's, unisex, or indeed fine tailoring, red carpet couture, street, bridal, lingerie, accessories or footwear”.

The expert scholarship partners will support this select group of designer-entrepreneurs in their early development to hopefully improve their chances of success. 

Recruitment for the course will be based on academic and creative potential assessed through prior qualifications, portfolio, and academic interview. A shortlist of designer-entrepreneurs will be judged and the scholarships awarded by a panel comprising  JCA’s CEO Stephen Smith among other JCA personnel;  Samata Pattinson; RCGD Global CEO; Rebecca Morter, founder and CEO of Lone Design Club; Lois Clark, co-founder and MD of In+Addition Communications; and Sara Maino, Vogue Italia talents lead.