Meet BA (Hons) Fashion Styling and Production student Lavanya
- Written byJimena Rascon
- Published date 11 April 2023
London College of Fashion (LCF) has two pre-degree courses for international students that offer a practical and theoretical introduction to the three areas of study we offer: fashion design, fashion media and fashion business. Both International Preparation for Fashion (Certificate in Higher Education) (IPF) and Level 3 International Introduction to the Study of Fashion (IISF) courses allow you to explore a range of areas across this vast industry.
We recently caught up with Lavanya Bettadapur, who prior to studying her current course BA (Hons) Fashion Styling and Production, studied the International Preparation for Fashion.
Can you tell us a bit about yourself and why you chose to study a Pre Degree course with LCF?
My name is Lavanya and I am from India. I completed the Cert HE International Preparation for Fashion and am currently on BA (Hons) Fashion Styling and Production. I have been creative and loved fashion for as long as I can remember, and this has always been something I have wanted to pursue. I initially wanted to pursue Womenswear and the Pre-degree course was set as a requirement to get into that course; I also really liked the course content and thought it would be a good way to ease into university, especially in a new country. Looking back, it was one of the best decisions I made – I would do the course all over again if I could!
What led you to apply for your current course?
I had always been so focused on doing Fashion Design that I overlooked other disciplines in fashion. IPF revealed options I had never considered and made me realise that Fashion Media is what I enjoyed most and after studying it for two terms, I decided that Styling and Production was the course for me.
Are there any projects you have worked on or are working on and what aspects you enjoyed the most?
Every project that I have done has been a unique experience and there has been tremendous learning every step of the way. One project I particularly enjoyed was my Personal Progression Project in the foundation course as it was rooted in my personal experiences that have shaped me as a person. I was able to combine these experiences, my love for the environment, and printmaking to create a print catalog which I am very proud of.
What advice would you give to someone who is thinking of doing a Pre Degree course at LCF?
Keeping an open mind and being enthusiastic is key as these attitudes help you make the most out of everything that is taught and provided to you. Being like a sponge and absorbing every bit of knowledge and information is also extremely beneficial as you never know when something will come in handy. Also, be yourself – everyone is so uniquely talented and whatever you bring to the table is cherished and appreciated.
What inspires you?
My biggest inspiration is the natural world and one can see hints of this in all the work I do. I try to be as free as I can with my work and have found that taking inspiration from the earth is where I have the most freedom and have the most fun. I also love looking at books, media, art, and other fields and incorporate elements and values from them to give my work more depth.
What skills did you learn on your Pre Degree course that you have been able to apply to your current course?
The course taught me a lot and I can definitely say I am a different person from when I first moved to London. Interacting with such a diverse group of people has taught me a lot about different cultures (something I try and include in my work) and often serves as a conversation starter which leads to interesting discussions and ideas. IPF gave me a holistic view of Fashion Media which has helped me make my work more nuanced, attracting audiences from a range of fields.
What are your plans for the next few years, and where do you want to see yourself professionally?
I really enjoying my undergraduate degree – I have been collaborating with students from other courses to create fashion images and hope to be able to continue doing that. My interest lies in publications and still imagery and I would really like to work for a magazine. I am building my portfolio, networking, and working towards my goals.
- Find out more about the Level 3 International Introduction to the Study of Fashion at LCF.
- Find out more about BA (Hons) Fashion Styling and Production at LCF.
- View our upcoming Open Days.