London College of Fashion (LCF), UAL, is proud to announce the winner of this year’s Enterprise Challenge. This exciting annual competition spotlights our students' creativity, innovation, and entrepreneurial spirit. The Challenge not only highlights the talent within LCF’s community but also connects students with leading figures across the fashion and business industries.
“I feel relieved that the work for the past 3 years came to fruition, being my 2nd degree I had a lot of doubt and it took a lot of work to even stay at university being self-funded and having a BSc and a BA is a weird thing to do, but I had faith that it was the right thing to do for me. Today proved that I had to go the long path - to find my path.” Karolina Kajczuk , Founder of The New Elders Ltd and winner of this year’s Enterprise Challenge.
Now in its 9th year, the Enterprise Challenge invites students from all year groups to submit bold, original ideas for a product or service that could make a meaningful impact on a specific community, client, or consumer group. After a competitive open call and shortlisting, the 2025 finalists presented their pitches live on 19 June at our East Bank campus on the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, to a judging panel of esteemed industry representatives comprised of;
The judges were asked to evaluate each entry based on several key criteria to select a well-rounded and thoughtful approach to enterprise. They considered whether there was a clear need for the idea, product, or service presented, and assessed how effectively the proposed solution addressed the identified problem, challenge, or opportunity. Creativity played a significant role, with judges looking for originality and innovative thinking. Realism was also important - entries were reviewed for how sound and achievable their assumptions were. Finally, the judges examined the extent to which each applicant demonstrated entrepreneurial capacity, reflecting their potential to turn ideas into impactful, sustainable ventures.
A range of inspiring activities and expert-led sessions contributed to this year’s Enterprise Challenge, with invaluable support from industry partners including Gate One, Dazed Media, Holition, AllSaints Spitalfields, Eyes on Talents, and Sense Worldwide - all of whom played a key role in guiding students and Founders Club members along their enterprise journey.
The 1st-place (Gold) winner of the 2025 Enterprise Challenge Award is Karolina Kajczuk, student on BA (Hons) Creative Direction for Fashion and founder of The New Elders Ltd, winning the prize of £5000. Karolina pitched her business, ‘The New Elders Ltd’, a creative agency with a social/community-driven focus. The New Elder flips the script on ageing by turning older style icons into fashion’s leading voices - through intergenerational runway shows, raw documentary storytelling, and a platform where age isn’t a limit but a look.
“Industry engagement, entrepreneurship, and a business mindset are central to the identity of the College. Our roots lie in a group of trade schools that came together to serve industry needs, so it’s inspiring to see how this legacy continues to thrive in our new location, and how industry collaboration remains a defining part of who we are at LCF. The entrepreneurial energy of our students, and the remarkable graduates they become, has been clearly evident this evening. At UAL, we have the highest number of graduates in the UK who go on to start their own businesses, and LCF produces the largest share of them. That’s a testament to the dedication of our staff and, above all, to the incredible talent of our students. Congratulations to this year's Enterprise Challenge winner Karolina Kajczuk and all the finalists.” Andrew Teveson, Provost of London College of Fashion.
We caught up with Karolina to find out more about her journey.
The idea for The New Elders came from a very real frustration — I just couldn’t see people like my muses in mainstream fashion. I’ve always been drawn to older creatives: their style, their stories, their unapologetic presence. They carry a kind of wisdom and flair that can’t be faked, but fashion rarely puts them at the centre.
So, I started asking: where are the campaigns that celebrate them? Where are the platforms that let them lead, not just appear as tokens? That’s when I realised there was a massive gap — not just in representation, but in respect.
The New Elders were built to fill that space. It’s not just about showing older people in clothes — it’s about giving them a platform to be seen, heard, and celebrated as tastemakers, artists, and individuals in their own right. And in a market that’s still obsessed with youth and trend cycles, this isn’t just overdue — it’s a breath of fresh air.
The biggest challenge? Doing all of this while juggling the not-so-glamorous reality of being a self-funded student. No big production budget, barely any time, and definitely no sleep — just a lot of determination, creative thinking, and a slightly concerning amount of iced coffee.
The number of times I heard, “How are you actually going to pull this off? Maybe do less?” — from friends, tutors, clients — I lost count. But I knew what I was building, and I knew why. I was directing and co-producing a fashion show, filming a documentary, and building a platform — all while freelancing to cover my tuition. Chaos? Absolutely. But I don’t do things halfway.
What kept it alive was the community. The team at Wall and Jones, the models, the older creatives — they believed in the project before it even had a name. I leaned into collaboration, used every free resource I could find, and reminded myself that you don’t need a big budget to create something meaningful.
Turns out, the limitations became the magic. The raw, honest, human side of the project is the soul of The New Elders. And somehow, against all odds, we made it happen — with heart, hustle, and a few sewing pins holding it all together.
“The New Elders is all about honouring older creatives, celebrating age-inclusive style, and proving that fashion doesn’t have an expiration date. I’m excited to keep building a platform that gives visibility, voice, and a little bit of magic to those the industry often forgets. Because every generation deserves to be seen — and celebrated — in style.” Karolina Kajczuk , Founder of The New Elder Ltd.
Winning the LCF Enterprise Challenge has given me the momentum (and the confidence) to take The New Elders to the next level. This was never meant to be a one-off show — it’s the start of a movement.
Next, I’m developing a full platform that champions older creatives through storytelling, fashion, and community. Think: intergenerational campaigns, creative workshops, pop-up events, and a digital space where older style icons aren’t just included — they lead. I want to build something that lives beyond trends and proves that age isn’t a limit, it’s a superpower.
The fashion industry talks a lot about inclusivity, but age is still one of the last frontiers. I want to help change that — not with tokenism or box-ticking, but by shifting who gets to be seen, heard, and celebrated.
I hope that The New Elders doesn’t just make people rethink age in fashion — it makes them feel something. Seen, inspired, hopeful. Because the future of fashion isn’t just young — it’s bold, wise, and unapologetically ageless.
Congratulations to the finalists.
“In this last year London College of Fashion generated 157 new student and graduate start-ups, more than any other College and UAL is once again the leading university in the UK for generating new businesses. The LCF Enterprise Challenge is a pivotal moment in our Enterprise Pipeline program of support and a powerful demonstration of the way our entrepreneurial students and graduates are able to launch new ventures in such great numbers. The finalists in this year’s Enterprise Challenge will continue to be supported to grow their business ventures many of which will also go on to employ future UAL Graduates and drive change in our wider society, industry and beyond.” Ismaril Wells, Associate Director of Graduate Futures at London College of Fashion, UAL.
The Enterprise Challenge is organised by LCF’s Graduate Futures team who are dedicated to nurturing an enterprise and freelancer ecosystem where students and graduates can truly flourish. Designed to support the development of key knowledge, skills and attributes around enterprise, the challenge forms part of a wider commitment to empowering emerging talent. Studying at LCF gives students access to tailored careers and enterprise services, exclusive events, and expert-led resources provided by the Graduate Futures team. Whether students are exploring self-employment, freelancing, or launching a business, the team offers practical guidance and inspiration from industry leaders. With a focus on encouraging innovation and embracing risk, ambiguity and experimentation, Graduate Futures provides a supportive environment that extends far beyond graduation - helping shape the next generation of creatives.
With just a few weeks until the annual LCF Enterprise Challenge 2025, let's meet this year's finalists making waves in the industry.