Last week The Legacy Collection – a luxury fashion initiative that supports the next generation of design talent and promotes female artisans from around the world – opened at Liberty. The evening was hosted by June Sarpong and attended by Caroline Rush, CEO of the British Fashion Council, Miriam Gonzalez Durantez and Ed Burstell.
June Sarpong with the winning students. Photography: Hanna Puskarz
The LDNY Foundation formed an exclusive partnership with LCF and Parsons New School in New York to create collections by students who worked with artisans from the International Trade Centre’s (ITC) Women and Trade Programme in Ethiopia, India, Mongolia, Papua New Guinea and Peru.
Ten students were chosen from both universities to showcase their collections, following a competition. Three LCF students – winner Nayana Kodesia and runners up Nitya Kishore and Leticia Jacobson – saw their womenswear collections go on sale, on this night of fashion and philanthropy at Liberty.
LCF students – winner Nayana Kodesia and runners up Nitya Kishore and Leticia Jacobson with their tutor, James Hamilton-Butler. Photography: Hanna Puskarz
Caroline Rush, CEO of the British Fashion Council said:
Being able to champion the Ldny-Legacy Collection, an initiative that will lead to raising scholarship funds is close to my heart and the work of the British Fashion Council Education Pillar. Anything we can do to support young people to study as our pipeline of future talent for this industry is essential.
The winning LCF students worked with Artisans from India and Ethiopia for their collections. Nayana’s collection Intrude was inspired by New York and London in the 1920s, with the essence of the flamboyent flapper lifestyle. She worked with Indian Artisan Anjali Sharma for embroidery and beading. Nitya Kishore’s collection The Blackout was inspired by gotham and incorporated Ethiopian weaving by artisan Mahlet Afewert. The Smoke and Mirrors collection by Leticia Jacobson was inspired by the romantic and hazy atmosphere of 1920s speakeasies – she worked with Indian artisan Varsha Mahendra.
LCF’s James Butler said:
The LDNY project was an amazing opportunity for FDD students to collaborate with international artisans from around the globe. The selected winning designs have also been showcased inside the UN in New York, as well as on home ground with the wonderful support of Liberty.