Striving to be a seamstress or tailor in early 20th Century London involved many hours of tough labour and low pay in crowded workshops and dimly-lit basements. Equipment was clumsy to work with such as the wooden tailoring 'clupper'. This was a pounding block used by tailors to flatten seams, darts and lapels. Thankfully, over the years, conditions improved and the trade was located to bigger, modern factories and more women were employed. There were even a few perks to look forward to such as the annual staff outing. I wonder what those hard-working immigrants would say if they could see the tools of the trade now.
This vibrant city continues to produce innovative designs that often have the rest of their global fashion counterparts running to catch up. The recent London Fashion Week saw VIP’s sporting their favourite autumn/winter animal prints, trilbys and trending straighter than straight hairstyles.
With LCF’s HQ on John Prince’s Street, in the heart of this vibrant city, and their technology and manufacturing centre in Shoreditch, this college has enjoyed a century of producing world-class designers.
John Prince Street is packed with the best facilities including beauty therapy salons, cosmetic science labs, library, a conference venue that is adaptable as a catwalk and a contemporary fashion exhibition space. This is in the vicinity of Regent and Oxford Streets; the latter reputed to be Europe’s busiest areas for shopping. Soho, Marble Arch and Hyde Park are close by.
Meanwhile, High Holborn Fashion College has its own language centre, along with fashion management, marketing, promotion and design courses. Whilst trendy Lime Grove offers courses in make-up, textiles, knitwear, prosthetics, embroidery and fashion journalism.
One can’t help picking up on the city’s vibes in this location and with plenty of stylish London hotels to choose from, you will be cosseted in comfort in this fashionable Metropol. You will soon be immersed in the exciting, creative atmosphere of the fashion world with the iconic market place of Shepherd’s Bush offering jewellery, fabrics and haberdashery.
If you are considering enrolling, visit the college and the professional staff will be able to help you make an informed decisions. Choose from a selection of flights direct to London if travelling from afar. Over 200 short courses are available at LCF and there are no age or skill limitations. A small selection of these comprehensive studies includes fashion photography and digital media, lingerie and swimwear, millinery and business management. All that is required is a passion for learning and developing your own innate sense of style. Yves Saint-Laurent once said, "Fashions fade, style is eternal".
