LCF's entrepreneurs host pop-up shop as part of LCF23 exhibition

Genaro Rivas

Please tell us about your brand – what is the concept and how did this come about?

Genaro Rivas is a brand that is, as the ethos says, "a work of art under constant construction.” Over the past few years, I have been developing collections with different teams of artisans from Peru, nurturing and learning in the process. It's like a synergy of talent. All of these with the focus on giving fashion a purpose, which is something that I have been doing since day one. Whether it’s hosting fashion shows to raise funds for certain causes such as the Children's Hospital in Peru (my first show) or developing different collections, not just garments with different teams. I’ve just showcased my first collection at London Fashion Week, keeping the ethos of giving fashion a purpose, creating and working that collection entirely here in London with the support of Foundation for Future London and Westfield creative funds who helped me and believe in my vision. This collection was made with different teams of SME's, independent artists and professionals based here in east London, where I live.

I believe that as an entrepreneur, my path in fashion is being made as I go. By learning constantly, and this is how the concept came: experimenting, learning and giving back.

What do you believe your unique selling point to be?

I believe that it’s not just selling cool garments or artefacts. It's selling the story behind them and inviting the user to be a part of it, to see the community grow by sharing the story behind it. It is a constant challenge, not just to make something cool, beautiful, and different, but also meaningful.

How do you envision the future of your specific industry in 5 years’ time?

We have been talking about purposeful and sustainable businesses for a while. I did that when the term wasn't widely used in fashion. Hopefully, I'll see a fashion industry more led towards human development and ‘walking the talk’ so to speak. Besides that, the global climate crisis will let us have perhaps smaller collections, full of timeless pieces. That's an interesting challenge, a creative one, an innovative one. I would also love to see a shift towards the other fashion specialists, not just us as fashion designers, but pattern makers, sample makers, seamstresses and tailors. If we shine a light on all the production chains of fashion, perhaps we will have more people working on what they love the most.

We will have a more insightful industry, where human development, partnerships, and a win-win scenario under sustainable practices will be the main thing. Again, it is time to walk the talk.

What have been your biggest takeaways from the course?

Can I have more words? First, the potential of ideas to scale and evolve. The coaches, each of them are unique in their own merit, and bring something special to the course, the cohort process and your individual process. The calibre of guest lecturers is amazing. Another big takeaway is being aware of each opportunity and take it. They are not going to be there waiting for you, it is, and I quote my course leader 'a fast-paced course' so be present, be aware, be mindful of the opportunities that you have and make the best of them.

Also, the cohort, an amazing international cohort in the best fashion school in the world, in the most multicultural city on the planet. Speaking of which - enjoy the time you have and be respectful and embrace the differences, different opinions, different points of view. Build a network and understand the importance of it.

What are you looking forward to after graduating?

Built an established global business that can make a positive impact in the lives of others, generating job opportunities no matter the differences. A business that relies on talent, enhancing existing talent, and sharing my vision of giving fashion and art a purpose.

What would your advice be to those looking to join MA Fashion Innovation and Entrepreneurship?

Get ready! Get ready for an amazing year. Enjoy it, enjoy every minute because time flies. Research and experiment a lot. Get ready to be in a safe space to make mistakes and learn from them. Get ready for the beginning of the next improved version of yourself. Sit tight, keep an open heart, mind, and enjoy the ride.

Ugonna Nwaka

Please tell us about your brand – what is the concept and how did this come about?

I am an intrapreneur focused on building fashion businesses that last. In June 2023, NKWO, an artisanal brand at the forefront of the sustainable fashion movement in Nigeria and Wildling Shoes, an eco-conscious barefoot shoe brand based in Germany launched a limited-edition shoe, called ONU. ONU is a word from the Igbo language spoken in South[1]Eastern Nigeria, which means “together”. This project was initiated and curated by Beatrace Oola of Fashion Africa Now, a platform that supports BIPOC creatives to gain more visibility and open the dialogue between creative industries, culture, education, and politics, based in Germany. On this collaborative project, I served as the business development manager for the NKWO brand which entailed strategic planning, stakeholder coordination and project management.

For my research project on the MA Fashion Entrepreneurship and Innovation course, I developed a case study based on this collaboration. I decided to consolidate the project’s crucial insights as an essential project debrief, aiming to formulate an implementation strategy for future collaborations and to share valuable lessons for adoption within the fashion industry. This decision was seen as important hence well-supported by the collaborators, and it led to the development of a Partnership Framework for Social Change. Social change was a significant outcome of this collaboration as it involved women from the NKWO Transform Project, a social project developed by the NKWO brand, focused on providing a sustainable source of living for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Abuja, Nigeria. These women played a role in the supply chain as they worked on knotting the natural fibre that was used in the production of the shoes. This collaboration created a pathway for additional income and fostered a strong sense of togetherness amongst the women, demonstrating the power of the fashion industry to create social change.

How do you envision the future of your specific industry in 5 years’ time?

In the next five years, the fashion industry will witness a heightened focus on sustainability driven by an increased need to provide solutions to the rising climate crisis. Collaborations between fashion brands and social projects will become more prevalent as a way of contributing to the economic prosperity of marginalised communities and driving social change while enhancing brand reputation and consumer loyalty. Technological innovation is also expected to transform various aspects of the industry, from design processes to personalised shopping experiences.

What have been your biggest takeaways from the course?

When I opted for a master's in fashion business, my main aim was to enrol in a course that offered hands-on learning rather than traditional lectures. Discovering this course was a joy because it fulfilled that requirement entirely. Throughout my journey, I appreciated the course's focus on personal development alongside academic outcomes, which is often lacking in educational settings. My most significant lesson was learning not to approach life cynically but to embrace my journey, trust the process, and approach opportunities with sincerity and dedication. This course has truly enriched me—I've gained more clarity on my purpose, recognized my strengths and weaknesses, and acquired new perspectives. The guidance and support from course leaders and team coaches were instrumental in this transformative experience. Overall, I'm grateful for the opportunity and the amazing individuals I met along the way.

What are you looking forward to after graduating?

After graduating, I am looking forward to exploring my areas of interest within the fashion industry such as business consulting, project management, research, lecturing, coaching, and speaking. I also look forward to contributing to economic development projects in the fashion industry in my country, Nigeria, and Africa at large.

What would your advice be to those looking to join MA Fashion Innovation and Entrepreneurship?

To anyone looking to join the MA Fashion Innovation and Entrepreneurship course, I recommend maintaining an open mind, staying flexible, and being adaptable. It is very suitable for self-starters, and I loved it because you could carve a peculiar path for yourself if you are committed to the journey. There are so many opportunities in this course and to get the most out of it you must be genuinely interested in it and immerse yourself in the learning process. Stay optimistic and fully engage with the possibilities!