Up next in our Graduate Spotlight series is MA Fashion Design Technology Menswear graduate Xiaozhou Su. Xiaozhou’s final collection will feature alongside 9 other students at the MA Menswear catwalk show. The show will be live streamed from the LCF Website on 8 January 2016. Here Xiaozhou tells us about her inspiration, future plans and advice for new students.
Photography by Felix Cooper and styling by Anders Sølvsten Thomsen.
Tell us about your final collection…
My collection is a combination of classical tailoring and the avante-garde. The style is created in response to an analysis of the male body, connected with the work of master artists and their individual understanding of how lines can be used to create a man’s shape. My garments reference ideas from Matisse and other fine artists. The main idea of this project is to create a vision of a ‘new man’ through the garments, primarily as a result of the application of a unique pattern that cuts and joins two colour panels on one outfit, and it’s inspired by the concept of the essential line.
Where did you study prior to MA Fashion Design Technology Menswear at LCF?
I studied Graduate Diploma in Fashion Design Technology at LCF for one year.
What would your advice be to any prospective MA Menswear students?
Prepare yourself as much as possible.
Try to be bold in your designs and don’t be afraid to go outside of your comfort zone.
Try to gain industry experience and get some collaboration experiences too.
Why did you choose LCF and MA Fashion Design Technology Menswear?
I chose LCF because it has such a good reputation – I admire the sophisticated technique and creativity here.
What did you enjoy most about your course and what have you found the most challenging?
The most enjoyable part was learning many new technical skills – especially pattern cutting and draping. The most important thing I learnt though, is how to finish a whole collection.
Tailoring was the most challenging part. I could not be more appreciative of the ‘core skill’ aspect of the course, since I didn’t have any experience in tailoring before. It made the design process easier and this skill will be very useful for my future.
What was your favourite thing about studying in London?
The galleries and designer boutique shops. I spend a lot of time going to galleries and museums – the Royal Academy of Arts and V&A are my favourites. I also love designer boutique shops in London.
Describe your work in five words…
Avant-garde, curvilinear, man-in-man, pattern, illusion.
Who is your biggest inspiration?
I love Yves Saint Laurent –I admire his work – he was a revolution in the fashion industry.
What are your future plans and how do you think the course will help you to realise these plans?
I want to have my own studio in China, but before that I’d like to find a job within high fashion company and get some experience.
Through my MA I have gained a better knowledge of the fashion industry and better technical skills. All of these achievements will be useful for my future and helpful for me to get involved in the fashion industry.
- Watch the Menswear live stream 8/01/16 10:30GMT
- Photography by Felix Cooper and styling by Anders Sølvsten Thomsen
- Find out more about MA Fashion Design Technology Menswear
- Read more about the MA16 season of events
- Find our more about postgraduate courses at London College of Fashion
- Find out about postgraduate open days
- Meet the graduates in our LCF MA16 Graduate Spotlight series
- Read more about LCF MA16 on LCF News
- #LCFMA16 on Twitter and Instagram
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