As part of this year's International Fashion Showcase we are pleased to present several public events exploring some of the underlying themes of the Showcase.  All events will take place in the events space at our group venue 180 the Strand. Events are listed below. All are free but ticketed, so please register using the eventbrite links. 

Fashion East: Post Socialism and Fashion 

Saturday February 15th, 14.00 - 15.30 

A panel discussion led by Dr Djurdja Bartlett (author of Fashion East: The Spectre That Haunted Socialism), London College of Fashion, UAL, on fashion and post-socialism. Beginning with a short introduction on fashion during the time of socialism, the panel will reflect on the effects post-socialism has had on contemporary fashion from their countries. Speakers will include designers Marit Ilison(Estonia), Petra  Ptačková and Pavel Ivancic (Czech Republic); fashion curator and historian Zuzana Sidlikova (Slovakia) and fashion historian Ketevan Shavgulidze (Georgia). Through their work practices and their reflections on their inspirations, the panel will present their designs, as well as the phenomenon of emerging fashion criticism. But, the speakers’ thoughts onto their respective social and cultural circumstances, will also contextualize the position of a fashion designer in the post-socialist world, with its networks, fashion weeks, domestic fashion media, global digital opportunities, the market, and their real and potential customers.  

Please register here 

Dressing the Screen: The Rise of Fashion Film 

Tuesday 18th February, 17.30 - 19.00

A screening of fashion films produced by emerging designers in the Philippines, Indonesia, China, Nigeria, Russia and Bosnia as part of British Council workshops. Followed by a short discussion on the importance of fashion film internationally by workshop mentors Kathryn Ferguson, Grace Ladoja, Marie Schuller and Carri Munden. 

Please register here

Fashion Curation: An Emerging Practice 

Wednesday 19th February, 17.30 - 18.30 

The UK has been leading the way in the development of the practice of fashion curation ever since Cecil Beaton’s Fashion: An Anthology exhibition at the V&A in 1971. This discussion explores the development of the fashion curator and the cultural impact of fashion curation and exhibitions. 

Chaired by Professor Amy de la Haye (London College of Fashion Rootstein Hopkins Chair of Dress History and Curatorship and joint author, with Judith Clark, of ‘Exhibiting Fashion: Before and After 1971’ recently published by Yale University Press).

Speakers include:

Sophia Hedman, freelance fashion curator

Shonagh Marshall, Curator at Somerset House

Alison Moloney, Head of the International Exhibitions Programme at London College of Fashion

Alistair O’Neill, Course Director of BA Fashion History and Theory at Central Saint Martins, Co-curator of Isabella Blow: Fashion Galore!

Ligaya Salazar, Director of the Fashion Space Gallery

Niamh White, Associate Director of the SHOWstudio shop 

This event is free, but ticketed. 

Please register here

A British Fashion Education 

Wednesday 19th February, 19.00 - 20.00 

A round table discussion exploring the legend of British fashion education: what makes London fashion education unique, how does it compares to those overseas, how has the reputation developed, how has this benefited the UK fashion industry and what does the future hold?

The discussion will be charged by Johanna Agermann Ross (Editor-in-chief and founder of Disegno). Speakers include Frances Corner OBE (London College of Fashion), Jane Rapley OBE (Central Saint Martins), Ruby Hoette (Goldsmiths), Andrew Groves (University of Westminster), Elinor Renfrew (Kingston University) and Tristan Webber (Royal College of Art).

Please register here. 

Fashion Illustration Workshop 

Saturday 22nd February, 14.00 - 16.00 

An introduction to fashion illustration with the backdrop of the International Fashion Showcase as inspiration. Led by fashion illustrators Margot Bowman and Faye West, participants will be taken through an introduction to fashion illustrator and collaging.  Basic equipment will be provided, but participants are encouraged to bring fabric swatches and any preferred illustration medium. 

Suitable for all ages.

Event is free, but ticketed. 

Please register here