An interview with the Founder of La Fomo

Central Saint Martins PhD Candidate and Co-Founder of Post-Grad Interest Group 'Subcultures' Kevin Quinn, interviews Founder of independant media platform La Fomo Mathilde Candotto-Carniel

What is La Fomo? Is it the acronym for ‘fear of missing out’?

Exactly, La Fomo stands for “fear of missing out.” It started as a joke with a friend in France who suggested the name, but I found it catchy and decided to keep it.

La Fomo is an independent media platform celebrating London’s alternative culture scene. We are your go-to space for discovering unique events and venues beyond the beaten tracks, offering you the opportunity to experience the city through the eyes of the local insiders.

Guided by local tastemakers, we champion fresh perspectives and unfiltered voices, uncovering art and cultural experiences that defy the mainstream. These are not your regular listings – instead of having to navigate insurmountable to-see lists to try to make the most of the city, our team together with Londoners in the know carefully curates and platforms what should be hot on your culture agenda right now.

What began as an app at the end of 2023 is now evolving into an editorial platform, set to launch in September. We want to spark meaningful conversations that push boundaries and create space for the unconventional while cultivating a distinctive voice that cuts through the noise of today’s oversaturated media landscape. Through culture, we explore political subjects, questions of social justice, and promote art as a catalyst for challenging perspectives and fostering critical thinking.

We strive to be a forward-thinking magazine that stays true to the London spirit and amplifies the voices of the creative people and communities who shape this city. We believe in the power of community and the importance of giving voice to those who may not always have a platform to speak up, and while doing so we hope to make it easier for our audience to find their crowd.

Whether you’re a long-time Londoner or new to the city, we keep you at the cultural forefront, providing insights into London’s vibrant cultural scene, its diverse subcultures, and its creative community that dares to challenge the status quo.

La Fomo is for everyone curious. For everyone who wants to be empowered to experience something different, for everyone who likes to be the first to discover something rather than following the crowd, and for everyone who forges their identity in their discerning tastes. We are a love letter to the incredible creative and cultural offerings you find in London if you scratch below the surface, and we’re here to relieve your fear of missing out on them.

How did it come about?

Like many people, the Covid period made me realise what I valued most in my daily life in London. I was feeling a bit uninspired in my job and missing a sense of purpose. Fashion is an incredible world of creativity, but it also fuels consumerism. What I truly missed was access to culture—the ability to experience all the diverse things London has to offer. I've always been into performance art, and I particularly enjoy niche and experimental shows, especially dance. Most weekends, I’d find myself at art exhibitions, discovering a new indie cinema, or simply enjoying the thrill of still uncovering something new after so many years in London.

I’m drawn to things that feel a bit more under the radar and experimental—the kind of things you might not typically find on Time Out, for example. Instagram can be useful, but it’s just not built for event discovery. I often found out about amazing events only after they had happened or were sold out. So, I decided it was time to shake things up in how we discover events and experience culture in the city.

What are your hopes and expectations from La Fomo?

It’s incredibly rewarding when someone tells us they went to an event they discovered on La Fomo and loved it. Knowing that we’re helping people find and enjoy new experiences means a lot. There’s something truly powerful about trying something a bit different or unusual, stepping out of your comfort zone, and feeling transformed by it.

At the same time, it’s disheartening to see how underfunded the arts are in the UK and London, despite the amazing work being done by artists and venues. While we know we can’t solve this issue on our own, we’re committed to giving a platform to those who are pushing boundaries and taking creative risks to offer something unique. Our focus in the coming months is to continue developing a platform that resonates with as many people as possible.

What’s next for La Fomo?

As our audience grows, so do our ambitions. We’re excited about the possibility of launching in other UK cities, and Paris and Berlin are definitely on our radar. While our primary focus right now is on our editorial platform, we’re also exploring funding opportunities to relaunch the app alongside it. This would allow us to provide recommendations based on your interests, even when you’re traveling.

By understanding what you enjoy in London, we aim to help you discover local cultural gems and avoid tourist traps in other cities, making you feel like an insider wherever you go.

Our website (due to relaunch in September – the app is currently on hold)

Our Instagram

The UAL Subcultures, Post-Grad Interest Group is managed by current PhD student at Central Saint Martins, Kevin Quinn.  The group is open to all postgrads interested in the residual power and value of British subcultures on life and fashion today.

For more information on the UAL Subcultures Interest Group please contact Kevin k.quinn@fashion.arts.ac.uk

Related Links:

About La Fomo