future of fashion
On Friday the 20th February the Amersham Future of Fashion
Academy held it’s very first FOF pop up store in Beaconsfield
for all the pupils that have completed their London Fashion
Week collections so far; nothing was on sale it was more about
the pupils experiencing life as a designer and showcasing their
collections. They were joined by pupils from the Beaconsfield and
Gerrards Cross FOF Academies who had also completed their
collections.
All pupils had input into the window display and a section in the
store where they displayed the collections that they have created
themselves on one of The London Fashion Week Special FOF
workshops. Some pieces were upcycled and some made from
scratch, using hand manipulation, appliqué and various types of
sewing machines to give more of a shop standard finish. Each
pupil has their own professional garment label like an established
designer.
The store was open to the public, family and friends and the
media. Generally at the end of a FOF workshop a fashion show is
held but the Academy Founder and main tutor, Debbie Wingham
who is a celebrity haute couturier with indepth experience in the
fashion world, thought it would be a little more exciting to keep
the runway showcase until London Fashion Week in September.
The FOF pupils will be showcasing their collections on the runway
on the second day of London Fashion Week which is being held at
The Dorchester Hotel.
Retail estate agents PMCD assisted in acquiring the pop up store
for them but as it wasn’t a commercial proposition Dan Collins
from PMCD kindly spoke to his clients, Hall Barn Estates, who
very kindly agreed to support FOF and offer them one of their
properties for the day. After all it was a good cause because the
pupils are all local children under the age of 16. Some of the
designers are from various children’s hospitals where Debbie
Wingham provides voluntary workshops to keep the kids inspired
and offers them a creative outlet and new opportunities while they
recover in hospital.
For further details on how to get involved in The Future of Fashion
and showcase your collection at London Fashion Week please
visit www.futureoffashion.co.uk
Photographs by Marzena Goralska
email: [email protected] | www.hiyabucks.com
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