LCF Enterprise Challenge 2026: Beyond the Pitch
- Written byS Williams
- Published date 24 March 2026
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A decade of the LCF Enterprise Challenge has already shown what can happen when a strong idea meets the right support. In our previous story, we revisited some of the early winners and where their journeys had taken them. But the story doesn’t stop there.
Each year brings a new group of founders testing ideas, pitching solutions and building businesses through the programme. The winners from 2021–2024 are a testament to the creativity, ambition, and impact that emerge from the Challenge and here’s where they are now.
From pitch to progress
2021 – Dewey by Chamiah Dewey (BA (hons) Fashion Design and Development graduate)
An award‑winning extra‑petite clothing brand that debuted at Selfridges, built a 20,000‑strong social community with viral reach, and boasts industry‑leading performance metrics. Backed by high-profile ambassadors and investment from the founder of Nobody’s Child, Dewey set a benchmark for the next wave of founders.
2022 – Sages by Emily Taylor (MA Fashion Futures graduate), and Alice Simpson (MA Fashion Design Technology (Menswear) graduate)
Building on this momentum, Sages transformed food waste into natural-dye solutions for fashion and textiles. Operating its own lab, collaborating with global manufacturers and UNICEF, showcasing at leading trade fairs, working with Chanel, and raising over £500k, Sages scaled its impact internationally.
2023 – Intotum by Hanan Tantush (BA (Hons) Fashion Design Technology: Womenswear graduate)
Following in the footsteps of these trailblazers, Intotum championed disabled voices through adaptable clothing. The brand raised over £150k in funding, won accolades including the Mayor’s Award and Drapers 30 Under 30, launched full adult and children’s ranges, and built an active, advocacy-driven community.
2024 – Shifted by Pauline Siwgart (MA Fashion Entrepreneurship and Innovation graduate)
Continuing the tradition of innovation and social impact, Shifted offers size-adjustable womenswear supporting women through weight fluctuations. Led by Paulina, now Ecommerce Trade and Content Coordinator at Crew Clothing Company, Shifted refined designs and affordability in collaboration with manufacturers, showing how the next generation of founders are shaping the future of fashion.
2025 – The New Elders Ltd By Karolina Kajczuk (BA (Hons) Creative Direction for Fashion graduate)
Last year’s winner, Karolina Kajczuk, launched The New Elders Ltd, a social‑purpose creative agency championing inclusivity through authentic age‑representation consultancy, social media support for older creatives, and cross‑generational workshops, while continuing to secure IP and develop several upcoming projects.
The finalists above represent just a snapshot of the entrepreneurial talent that has emerged from the competition over the years. They’re also part of a wider community of designers, founders and freelancers supported by the Enterprise team at London College of Fashion (LCF), UAL.
In the profiles below, we take a closer look at some of these journeys and the practical impact of LCF’s Enterprise support.
Pathways through enterprise
Oliwia Romanowska
Oliwia’s journey began at LCF, where studying MA Fashion Entrepreneurship and Innovation shaped her ability to think not just as a creative, but as a builder of businesses and brands. After graduating, she immersed herself in early-stage and growth-stage companies, wearing multiple hats across marketing, brand strategy, e‑commerce and even finance – an experience that helped define her strengths and laid the foundation for the next decade of her career. Having since helped scale fashion, beauty and lifestyle brands from startup to multimillion‑pound revenue, she now leads Content Marketing at Sumwon Studios, building a high‑velocity creative engine that brings together storytelling, performance marketing and AI-driven production across a global portfolio of brands including Missguided.
What did moving from student to senior leadership involve, and which experiences helped you build confidence in your strategic voice?
Early in my career I was focused on learning as much as possible - how brands acquire customers, how digital platforms work, and how to build a compelling narrative around a product. The biggest shift was moving from execution to strategic thinking. Over time, my role evolved into making bigger decisions: where to invest resources, how to position a brand globally, and how to build teams and systems that can scale. Working in fast-growing companies was particularly valuable because it forces you to develop confidence quickly - you're often solving problems that don't yet have a playbook.
Which practical skills or mindset shifts from LCF’s Enterprise offer do you still use today in building brands and planning your career?
The Enterprise environment at LCF encouraged a mindset I still rely on today: seeing opportunity where others see uncertainty, jumping on new trends quickly, and treating every setback as a lesson rather than a failure - as long as you turn the insight into action.
The most valuable lessons were learning to test ideas quickly, to understand the commercial side of creativity, and to think about brands as ecosystems - product, storytelling, community, and distribution all working together. Today, whether I'm working in fashion or building in the wellness space, I approach it the same way: start with a strong idea, validate it fast
Find out more about Oliwia Romanowska and follow her on Instagram @oliwiaromanowska.
Johana Kasalicka
What steps did you take after LCF to break into high-end fashion production, and which experiences prepared you for the fast-paced environment at McQueen?
After graduating from BA (Hons) Fashion Photography at LCF, I attended the Graduate Event at the Sarabande Foundation, where I had the opportunity to speak with members of the Art & Comms Department and HR. I came prepared with both my portfolio and CV, and I made a conscious effort to pitch myself confidently. It turned out to be a serendipitous moment, as they were looking for a Graduate Trainee in Production at the time. I secured an interview and was fortunate to be offered the role.
Looking back, I think what helped me most was being proactive and ready when the opportunity arose. All of my previous work experience played a role in preparing me – whether it was working in a café, university projects, or completing my first internship in fashion. Each experience contributed to building my work ethic, adaptability, and communication skills.
That said, the corporate side of fashion is quite a specific environment, and a lot of the learning comes from being in it. You have to stay open, adapt quickly, and learn as you go.
How has LCF’s Enterprise offer shaped your approach to managing projects, collaborating with teams, and adapting to opportunities in the creative industry?
During my time at LCF, I attended a series of Graduate Futures Enterprise talks focused on how to start a business. These were particularly valuable for someone coming from a creative background, as they provided practical insights into business planning, project management, and strategic thinking.
I also took part in the Enterprise Challenge, which was an incredibly rewarding experience. I received valuable one-to-one advice on business development and learned how to confidently pitch my ideas. It felt very much like a real-world experience, as if I were developing a project outside of the university environment. The level of professionalism, combined with the opportunity to pitch to potential funders, made it both a challenging and highly effective preparation for entering the industry.
Find out more about Johana Kasalicka.
Ashley Lloyd
Ashley’s journey began with a lifelong dream to study at LCF, where she studied BA (Hons) Fashion Design Technology (Womenswear) and MA Fashion Design Management which helped shape the foundations of her craft. Her time training as a tailor for Gareth Pugh, working on pieces for icons like Beyoncé and Lady Gaga, further honed her artistry. These experiences now power Ashley Lloyd International, a brand celebrated in titles such as Vogue, Wonderland, and The Guardian.
What were the first steps you took to turn your creative idea into a business, and what challenges taught you the most in the early stages?
The first steps were to ensure the quality of my garments were to a luxury standard and I think attending LCF certainly helped with that. The next step was to narrate a story which truly identified with who I am, my background, family and community. The final steps were making sure I had a strong network and team behind me who supported not just my talent but me, as a person. There have been so many challenges in running my business; however, the one which stands out the most would be being quite naive and innocent in the sense that not everyone will understand your vision, and some will use your talents for their own gain. So having contracts to protect your IP and business is a necessity in all areas of your business; this is a crucial element.
Which skills or experiences from LCF’s Enterprise offer have been most useful in launching and growing your brand, and how do they show up in your work today?
Speaking with the staff who run the LCF Enterprise has been extremely useful in growing my brand. Their skills and expertise pertaining to business, marketing and strategy has allowed me to take each nugget that has been given to me by Frances & Mirella and input this into each area of my business. Having the ability to have a continuous working relationship and mentorship has been truly helpful. This shows up within my daily practices such as ensuring that my branding and identity align with the ethos of my brand. Along with identifying a strong cohesive range plan and marketing strategy which is consumer focused. I also believe that the ability to network within the LCF enterprise programme is such a useful tool and one I have certainly taken advantage of; meeting other creatives and individuals within a variant of sectors, which always allows room for collaborative projects.
Find out more about Ashley Lloyd and follow her on Instagram @ashleylloyd_int.
More than a pitch
The Enterprise Challenge may begin with a pitch, but its impact goes far beyond the competition. From the earliest ideas developed during study, what connects all of these journeys is a willingness to test ideas, take risks, and build something new. With ongoing support from LCF, students and graduates are launching businesses, shaping creative industries, and defining their own futures.
If you’re an LCF student and want to apply for the LCF Enterprise Challenge, there’s still time! Submit your application by Friday 8 May 2026, 12 pm.
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