LONDON–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Prof. Jimmy Choo’s Mayfair-based JCA | The London Fashion Academy sets itself apart from other educational institutions by offering higher education with mentoring and practice-based learning, London Fashion Week shows and retail opportunities as a foundation. JCA is committed to creating the next wave of designers by consciously supporting their businesses from the day they arrive at 20 Hanover Square.
Considered ‘revolutionary’ by government ministers and ‘design pioneers’ by industry commentators, the Academy was built with a single purpose: to support and accelerate emerging designer entrepreneurs in the ultra-competitive world of fashion. To do this, the school tailors each individual’s learning to the discipline they are interested in rather than offering a homogenous curriculum to a large number of students.
The courses are designed to follow a professional workflow and help each designer build and launch their brand, design and make beautiful collections, commercialize their work and engage with customers through their permanent Mayfair store , directed by the collective of designers.
Just a year after its opening, the school has already seen some of its first batch of students launch their own brands and introduce them to the world. An example of this is the success of Melissa-Kate, who was invited to present her collection at the inaugural Northern Fashion Week in July and is up for three awards, including best designer, and Annabelle Barton’s stories, Maryam Orchid, Noon Khouri and Sophie Park, who will present their debut collections at the JCA x Patrick McDowell x MA Show and Party on September 19.
As part of their program at JCA, students have access to a variety of mentors, including Prof. Jimmy Choo, unhindered access to the atelier’s professional workshops and resources that don’t usually come with tuition, such as a dedicated PR team that are commercially focused to support any designer entrepreneur.
In recent months, the Academy’s Masters students have been preparing for London Fashion Week, persuading organizers to secure a place on the British Fashion Council’s schedule of events. The very important support and funding provided by the Academy to showcase its future talent is at the heart of the JCA’s vision.
Having helped its students develop their design craft, entrepreneurial mindset and launching them on the world-renowned platform that is London Fashion Week, fashion entrepreneurs will have the opportunity to sell their product at the Academy from soon to open the Mayfair store, located alongside the world famous. Bond Street.
While most of the £18,000 course fees can be paid through the government-owned Student Loans Company, Stephen Smith, CEO of JCA, says “we encourage our learners to think like entrepreneurs from the start”. Don’t see the loan as funding your postgraduate qualification; instead look at this as an investment in you and your creative venture. By joining our Master’s programme, we will support you to launch your brand with the commercial product you have designed’.
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EDITOR’S NOTES:
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JCA is located at 20 Hanover Square in the heart of Mayfair
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The first batch of MA students will present their brands on September 19th at the JCA x Patrick McDowell x MA Show and Party.
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The debut MA collections will be available at the JCA store.
ABOUT JCA
JCA | London Fashion Academy is a pioneering fashion school and professional incubator founded by Prof. Jimmy Choo OBE and Mr. Stephen Smith. It opened its doors in Mayfair in September 2021 to play a leading role in re-galvanizing London’s fashion community after the pandemic and has established itself as Mayfair’s international hub for all those interested in design and luxury brands. Taking inspiration and breaking boundaries from the V&A, Royal College of Art, Parsons New York and Somerset House, the facility will be more than just an educational academy, offering contemporary co-working spaces for fashion startups, galleries. and exhibition space and a calendar of fashion-focused networking and events.. Since its opening in September 2021, the school has helped many students launch their projects, such as Melissa-Kate, a Master’s student invited to showcase at Northern Fashion Week, and mature Scottish student Paul McCann, who launched his label while in his first year of degree. It houses a number of professional designers, including its Designer in Residence, Patrick McDowell.
Students and emerging designers can find out more about JCA via its website at, www.JCA.ac.uk and via its Instagram handle, @JCALONDON
ABOUT JCA MA Fashion Entrepreneurship in Brand Design and Innovation
The fashion enterprise MA in Brand Design and Innovation is designed with enterprise creation as a central distinguishing feature. Students on the course will be placed as freelancers or micro-SMEs and encouraged to develop a commercial enterprise from the start.
ABOUT PROFESSOR JIMMY CHOO
Born in Malaysia, Jimmy Choo grew up in a family of shoe designers. From a young age Choo became interested in creating beautiful shoes, making his first pair at the age of 11 under the guidance of his father. After graduating from London College of Technology in 1983, Choo opened his first store three years later and went on to become one of the world’s most successful shoe designers. His unique style and beautiful designs became increasingly popular with high-end customers, including Diana, Princess of Wales. Jimmy Choo sold his share of the company in 2001 and in 2002, Jimmy Choo was awarded an ‘Order of the British Empire’ to recognize his service to the fashion industry.
ABOUT STEPHEN SMITH, FAUA, MBA (District.), PGCE FAHE, BA (Hons,) CEO and FOUNDER
Stephen Smith has more than 20 years in leadership roles in the public and private higher education sector. During his career, he has taken on roles such as Head of School, Dean of Faculty, Vice-Principal, Provost, Registrar, Managing Director and now CEO. He has worked at major Metropolitan universities, specialized Colleges of Art and Design and international design educational institutes. Stephen has worked closely with international, UK and local government to develop and deliver strategies aimed at building a sustainable creative industry. Intertwining Stephen’s career is his focus on education and his bridge to entrepreneurship.
