Yesterday, I headed to Fouberts Place in my lunch hour to check out the latest incarnation of the LCF College Shop. Devised in 2011 as a way to showcase work by the very best students and recent graduates of London College of Fashion, the subtly named College Shop is a great way to get your hands on one-off pieces by the latest up-and-coming designers. This year’s theme is ‘The Party Edit’ – perfect for the festive season! – and their candy coloured promo photoshoot has popped up so many places in the last week that I suspect they’ll be getting lots of visitors. The word has spread in Harpers Bazaar, Time Out and online fashionistas’ favourite Never Underdressed.
But… what caught my eye? Plenty! Stunning structured leather bags from Klara Hultén. Beautiful art deco inspired illustration by Yeo Jung Park. Sheer and velvet draped womenswear pieces from Tarang Bharti. Simple yet elegant jewellery designed by Helen Elizabeth Spencer. Striking chunky heeled footwear from Michele Hartmann. The bright geometric perspex jewellery of Lili Colley. A brilliant sequinned biker jacket by award winning menswear designer Alexis Housden (see left image). Timeless red leather bags from Simran Dhiman. And, of course, the much talked about graduate collection of footwear designer Camilla Elphick. Her brilliant PEZ shoes had already sold by the time I got there!
If you want to place a bet on who’ll become the next big thing, get a few Christmas presents, or simply treat yourself to something completely original, the College Shop pop-up runs until 19th December at 19 Fouberts Place, London W1F 7QE (just off Carnaby Street). Opening hours are 10am-6.30pm today and tomorrow, 10am-8pm on Thursday. Find out more on the Facebook page.
First image by lipsticklori. Second image by Ella Sullivan for the LCF College Shop.