Life of Alumni: Kolin Ekeocha

Kolin Ekeocha graduated from London College of Fashion in 2008 after studying BA Fashion Design Technology: Menswear. Since graduating from LCF, Kolin went on to set up his own business STYLEWITHKOLIN, a personal styling brand with a specific focus on fashion conscious parents. The company focuses on helping clients and individuals rediscover their full potential, educating and advising them to understand the power and beauty of self-care and self-love, through their unique style and taste. We caught up with Kolin to find out more about his recent venture and what advice he could pass on.

Hi Kolin, it's great to have the chance to catch-up with you and see how your brand is taking off! Can you tell us a bit more about your business concept?

My passion is to help women and men, especially moms, help themselves look and feel better. I empower moms to look, feel and be more confident through a revived sense of fashion and passion for Wardrobe. I will introduce you to new creative, exciting ways and ideas to approach your aardrobe and make fashion fun. Services are personal styling (image consulting), personal shopping and wardrobe detoxing.

What are you currently working on? 

At present, I’m launching the website - Creating wardrobe detoxing and personal styling tutorial videos!

Tell us about your journey to becoming a stylist? 

In 2008 I graduated from London College OF Fashion with a BA in Fashion Design Menswear. Since leaving, I have been keen to set up my own business. I have a passion for personal styling/image consultancy and a strong interest in invigorating and elevating people's styles and confidence.

It all began while training at the London College of Fashion, the springboard to a long and winding career working as a designer for Alexander McQueen, Preen, and designing for Kappa in Beijing China for two years and creating my own business of accessories (handbags) amongst many others.

STYLEWITHKOLIN is a company with a focus on helping clients and individuals rediscover their full potential, educating and advising them to understand the power and beauty of self-care and self-love through their unique style and taste. Each client service is tailored to their individual and unique needs. I will establish a friendly approach to every client of mine.

A customer service with attention to detail is infrequent today; each part of our service will heavily focus on a personalised and discrete system. I am a great listener, and I do care tremendously for humans and our planet. As a result, each client will benefit more than they expected from me. I am a firm believer that I have what it takes to change my client's views about themselves and restore confidence and style in their life and wardrobe.

What skills are essential in becoming a stylist?

• An eye for visual composition and proportion
• Commercial awareness, including a good knowledge of designers, brands and trends
• The ability to meet deadlines
• An excellent work ethic and can-do attitude.
• An exceptional eye for detail
• A positive, proactive and assertive approach

So, what are your next steps?

Looking ahead I really want to work on expanding the business, specifically aiming to gain and maintain my client relationships. I want to potentially work on celebrity collaborations too!

What support did you receive from the LCF Graduate Futures team?

I worked with a business mentor who helped me tremendously with my business plans, setting realistic goals and understanding my ideal audience. Studying the business and marketing to prepare me before officially launching.

What advice would you give to students looking to start a career in fashion styling?

My advice would be to invest time in your business and be open to continuously learning new business skills. Understand your audience and their pain points.

• Find out more about BA Fashion Design Technology: Menswear
• Explore LCF Graduate Futures
• What’s on at LCF: open days and events
• More LCF Stories