MA Fashion Journalism graduate Eleonora Garofalo created a magazine that explores emerging Italian talents to the industry with business focus for her final project. We spoke to Eleonora as part of the LCFMA18 graduate spotlight series and she told us about the magazine and her time at LCF. Find out more about MA Fashion Journalism at the LCFMA18 Exhibition at the Oxo Tower Wharf, from Thursday 15 to Sunday 18 Feburary.
Tell us about your final project…
My final project is a magazine aiming to introduce emerging Italian talents to the industry on a very business-driven perspective. This might sound like nothing new in Britain, where young creatives are given many opportunities. In Italy there is a real barrier between young designers and the industry as it is a country devoted to tradition. Young creatives are only given two chances: moving abroad or striving to build their career in Italy, and ending up accepting even worst compromises than the ones they fought before.
For their part, obviously, industry insiders tend to collaborate only with designers who share their values – or pretend to do so. The results of this sort of cold war is a deep sense of frustration and wasted creative genius while, in a magazine scenario, it translates into two kinds of publications: B2B magazines featuring business-driven brands and independent vanity magazines. Mine, therefore, is the only Italian publishing project targeting both business leaders and emerging designers and trying to create a common platform.
What would be your top tip to new students…
At LCF you will find people who believe in you… so believe in yourself as well!
What made you chose LCF and London…
A friend of mine was looking for a postgraduate course at LCF and she encouraged me to apply for the journalism pathway, knowing how much I would have liked it. I believed I wasn’t talented enough to get in, but I gave it a try.
What were the highlights and biggest challenges of your course…
I have always been passionate about writing and researching in general, but this was my first approach to journalism. I come from a scientific background and it was very difficult to find “artsy” ideas for projects. However, it was a boost for creativity and I eventually managed to integrate it into my scientific work methodology.
Have you been on a work placement or internship…
Yes, I’ve been working as a contributor writer for an online Italian fashion and lifestyle magazine, where I mainly write news and review events and runways.
My biggest inspirations and muses are…
I really admire fashion journalist Angelo Flaccavento – he is also Sicilian like me.
What are your plans for life after your MA…
First of all, enjoying home for a while, since I’ve been away for almost five years. In the meantime, I will look for a job, but I don’t have any geographical limits. I guess London was just the beginning!
LCF is moving east. What do you think about the move…
It sounds coherent to me. Students networking will become easier, for sure, and East London is already home to many designers and young creatives.
- Find out more about LCFMA18
- Eleonora’s portfolio, Instagram and LinkedIn
- More information on MA Fashion Journalism
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- Want to write for LCF News? Send your pitches to communications@fashion.arts.ac.uk
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