LCF Enterprise Challenge 2026: Meet winner Sean O’Brien
- Written byLondon College of Fashion
- Published date 11 June 2026
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As London College of Fashion (LCF), UAL marks the 10-year anniversary of its Enterprise Challenge, we are proud to announce this year’s winners of the annual competition that champions creativity, innovation, and entrepreneurial thinking. A decade on, the Challenge continues to spotlight the breadth of talent within the LCF community while building valuable connections with leaders across the fashion and business industries.
Now in its 10th year, the Enterprise Challenge invites students from across all year groups to submit bold, original ideas for products or services that can make a meaningful impact on a specific community, client, or consumer group. Following a competitive open call and shortlisting process, the 2026 finalists presented their pitches live on 10 June at Home House Studio, a private members’ club, to an esteemed panel of industry judges;
- Liz Gee – Dean of Fashion Business School, LCF
- Harold Tillman CBE – Fashion Entrepreneur and Fashion Enterprise Advisor at UAL
- Emma Quelch – Vice President, Managing Director at IMG Models.
- Emily Taylor – CEO and Co-Founder of SAGES, a previous winner of the Enterprise Challenge.
- Jay Solanki – Chief Merchandising Officer (Interim) at Stella McCartney and Founder and CEO, KAHAANEE
Entries were assessed against a set of key criteria, including a clearly defined need, the strength and originality of the proposed solution, and its overall viability. Judges also considered the realism of each concept and the extent to which participants demonstrated entrepreneurial capability and the potential to develop their ideas into impactful, sustainable ventures.
The 1st-place (Gold-prize) winner of the 2026 Enterprise Challenge Award, is Sean O'Brien, a student on BA (Hons) Fashion Public Relations and Communication and founder of Second Thread, a fibre spinning company focused on turning recycled textiles into fully traceable, circular yarn to help close the loop in UK fashion production. Sean has received £5000 sponsored by Harold Tillman, CBE.
“The Enterprise Challenge programme at LCF drives real impact – producing the highest number of startups across UAL, helping UAL retain its place as the UK University producing the most-student start-ups for the fourth year running. The programme supports our students to acquire the skills, knowledge, networks and confidence to realise their commercial creativity. Every year we see more students apply to LCF not only because of our world-leading position in all things fashion but also because of our strength in enterprise education. Every LCF student has an opportunity to develop their enterprise skills either in their curriculum or through the Enterprise Challenge programme. On graduation our continued support through the LCF Founders Club, Business Builder, and Fashion District partnerships, enable LCF founders to start, build, and scale successful businesses.” – Liz Gee, Dean of Fashion Business School, LCF.
We spoke with Sean to find out more about their journey.
Hi Sean, congratulations on winning 1st place. What inspired the idea behind your winning project, and what problem or opportunity were you hoping to address?
In my first year of university, I watched this documentary called Fashion Reimagined. I saw how appalling the fashion supply chain is today. With 30% of our clothing ending up in landfill every year in the UK, I wanted to find a way to reutilise textile waste to the point where we could fully rely solely on that waste to make new clothing.
How did your idea develop over the course of the Enterprise Challenge – from initial concept to final pitch?
I started this idea in my head since my first year, researching what could be done. Realising there were textile shredders in the UK but not one spinner that works solely with recycled fibres to turn that shredded textile into new yarn, I decided to bring this concept to life. Speaking with the Enterprise Challenge team, I was directed in the best possible way to present this idea, which led me to my final pitch presentation.
What are your next steps for the project following your win, and how do you hope it will make an impact?
The next steps are to perfect my final product with the machinery I will buy with the awarded money. Once that is done, I aim to utilise the connections made from this competition to bring the product to market in the most scalable way.
“Congratulations to Sean O’Brien on winning the 2026 LCF Enterprise Challenge with his concept Second Thread, and to all the shortlisted students for their inspiring ideas. I am truly encouraged by the entrepreneurial spirit shown by all the students. As an LCF graduate from the 1960s, it is reassuring to see that the drive to build a business remains as strong as ever.” – Harold Tillman CBE, Harold Tillman CBE, Fashion Entrepreneur and Fashion Enterprise Advisor at UAL
Congratulations to the finalists;
- 2nd place (Silver) prize winner – Yiying Zhu, student on MA Fashion Textiles Technologies and founder of Custex AI, an AI-driven platform that simplifies textile design by transforming creative ideas into seamless, accessible digital manufacturing workflows.
- 3rd place (Bronze) prize winner – Isabella Marshall, student on BA (Hons) Fashion Contour and founder of IM.intimates, a brand creating size-flexible intimates designed to support women through natural body changes with comfort, innovation, and sustainability at their core.
- Highly Commended (4th place) – Daniel Xu, student on BA (Hons) Fashion Design Technology: Womenswear and founder of SILKA, a platform that helps small and mid-sized fashion brands navigate and compare sustainable fabric sourcing with clarity and confidence.
- Highly Commended (5th place) – Ertay Deger, student on MA Fashion Entrepreneurship and Innovation and founder of Generation 78, a brand exploring theatrical and emotionally expressive femininity through bold, hand-embellished designs.
The event also honoured 3 special recognition awards to Ellen Rock, Hanan Tantush and SAGES for their exceptional innovation and global impact on creative enterprise.
“As a supporter of the Enterprise Challenge since its inception 10 years ago, it has been wonderful to see the incredible innovation that comes from these talented students and what they go on to achieve. I am always amazed by the detailed, creative commercial ideas presented at the event and the quality of their well-thought-out execution. When you think you have seen everything, a new concept comes up which disrupts and challenges, which is brilliant. Over the years I have been lucky enough to advise some of the students and to bring in other professionals to help them as well. The Enterprise Challenge is a credit to LCF and specifically to Frances Odell who is a key component in supporting the students and their achievements and making this event the huge success that it is." Francesca Shepherd, VP & Associate General Counsel at WME Fashion.
The Enterprise Challenge is an annual event dedicated to building an enterprise and freelance ecosystem where students and graduates can thrive. As part of this wider commitment to nurturing emerging talent, the Challenge helps develop key entrepreneurial skills and mindsets.
Through tailored careers and enterprise support, exclusive events, and expert-led guidance, Graduate Futures equips students with the tools to explore freelancing, self-employment or launching a business. With a focus on innovation and experimentation, the team fosters a supportive environment that extends beyond graduation – helping shape the next generation of creative leaders.
Watch a short video exploring the impact of the Enterprise Pipeline at LCF, featuring founders who share how the Enterprise Challenge has shaped their business journey.
- Read more LCF Stories
- Find out more about Graduate Futures
