Debate and dialogue is an essential component of study at LCF. Our students have strong opinions about many current debates including ethics in fashion and sustainability.  A good example of this is our project ‘For Fur’ and ‘Foe Fur’ which has explored the controversial issue of the use of fur in the fashion industry.

On one side Saga sponsored students explored the appeal and techniques of an age-old craft, in a challenging and modernizing way. The outcomes were not about simply using fur but respecting it, understanding it and relating it to contemporary fashion.

On the other side ‘Design Against Fur’ a design competition run by the Fur Free Alliance set our students the task of designing without animal products. We took it one step further by asking students to use animals and nature as their inspiration and the motto ‘don’t use fur use your imagination.’ The results were beautifully crafted pieces that incorporated new technologies. One of the outcomes was the ‘HyperNatureSuperHuman’ film which demonstrated that no animal need be used to produce beautiful fashion.

As educators it is our job to help our students make informed choices based on solid research and rigorous interrogation.  Projects like this help shape their professional practice.

• Words by Rob Phillips, Creative Director of the School of Design and Technology
• Read more about the BA 2012 graduate season