Xin Qu, 2019 alumni of the Graduate Diploma Fashion Design Technology course, is currently studying MA Fashion Design Technology Womenswear at London College of Fashion.
I have continued studying fashion design at LCF and developing my own brand identity at the same time.
Yes, I did.
Since I got my bachelor’s degree I knew I couldn't part from design. Through fashion it is great to talk about issues in society and advocate people towards a positive direction. I also rediscovered all my passion, my dream and my love for bringing the creative world from my mind into reality.
I think that this profession requires us to question everything, to develop critical thinking about this world. Throughout the design process I need to ask questions like why did I choose this? Does this work or not? Can it be anything else? This pushes me out from my comfort zone, and as a designer, you need to know more about this world to get inspiration for innovative. It is great that I can learn and make progress. The motivation for endless studying is the best thing about this job for me.
Recently, I am doing my graduation work, Click on the Real Window, which talks about the relationship between the digital window and physical window. Contemporary people spend too much time on digital networking and ignore the physical connection with a real person, and I want to use my collection to encourage people to put down the cell phone and laptop, to hug the real human being next to them.
When I finish my studies, I want to get an internship with a fashion brand to get to know more details about what I need to create my own brand. And maybe raise the money and look for collaboration partners at the same time.
Over the next few years, I want to develop my pattern skills. Sometimes, I can draw my sketches beautifully, however, when it comes to the reality it is not as good as expected. Although, I think the exploration process is interesting. I still want to make my designs not only visually amazing but also more wearable and comfortable.
LCF not only has professional tutors and environment, but there are more chances to get connected to the fashion industries. it offers opportunities for students to showcase their works. Additionally, it can teach us how to combine our creative ideas with business, finding target customers - which really helps to build the brand in the future.
It is a good opportunity to understand the teaching method of western countries, and it can help to build skills such as creative thinking and research, which are very useful for further study. I was also able to use this period of time to find my design style, then build my own aesthetic for a target customer.
I really enjoyed the practice of making a zine to show my identity in half a day. It was quite a challenge but also helped me to find the balance between a suitable picture layout and the details like font size. The course taught me that it is important to make amazing work and that also important to find an exciting way to present your work.
Less is more.
First tell yourself it is definitely not an easy choice. When you have decided to do this, just believe in yourself.