Welcome to London Centre For Fashion Studies (Hanoi)

Monthly feature

LCFS – Hanoi is very fortunate in that it has the opportunity to celebrate a New Year twice, now and again in February. Giving everyone lots of opportunity to make some new year resolutions. Or the time to change them between now and February. The new year is generally a time to reflect on where we have been and where we are going. It is safe to say that LCFS is going forward and living up to its vision of “Fashioning the future”. In September 2007 we had 24 full time and 9 part time students start in term 1 and 14 full time in year 2. A large increase over the previous year. Our college is becoming recognized and our graduates are taking their place in Vietnams fashion industry.
		A successful “Professional Development Program” was delivered for Vinatex. The course was held in HCMC with 30 people, currently working in the industry, participating. The course was designed to improve their pattern technology skills. The results were very positive and a new P.D.P. for Vinatex is in the development stage. It will be offered in March at LCFS - Hanoi and will be a combination of design and pattern technology. With all the new things happening we have had to increase our number of lecturers. Mr. O’Neil, Ms Thuy, Mr. Phu and Ms Nga will be joining us. (see staff corner) Ms Valerie has returned to London but will be returning in May. Past, present and future the most amazing part of LCFS is the students. They come eager to learn, excited and have vast and wonderful dreams. It’s a pleasure to work with them and watch their sense of fashion and style evolve. The results from terms 1 and 4 prove the point. Upon reflection I think it is safe to say that LCFS – Hanoi is making an impact and living up to its promise to help in “Fashioning the Future”
As a result of this recognition the college has received requests for evening/weekend courses from people working in the industry. New this year will an evening course starting in February – just after Tet. We will be offering Design, Pattern Technology, Garment Construction and Fashion Business. The same content as the day program but spread over twice the time and offered in the evenings. Successful completion of all the modules will lead to the same diploma.
We also had a student take advantage of our “transfer to London program”. Successful graduates of LCFS – Hanoi can transfer to LCFS – London for university studies leading to a BA(Hons) Degree. Do Thi Phuong Nhung took advantage of this option and is currently studying in London. Her specialty is Women’s wear. She will be returning to Vietnam at the end of her studies with the intention of making a name for herself and helping to fashion Vietnams exciting and fast growing fashion industry. Reports from London say she is doing great, making new friends and enjoying herself.

By Nguyen Ngoc Mai - Chanel Class

Is there a connection between me and fashion??

Before, my work was figure managing and problem solving. I had never had any fashion training - just sewing clothes for myself at home.

I knew about Viet Nam’s Collection Grand Prix from TV. I was interested in the contest. It was really attractive to me and I thought about it all the time.

I was honored to overcome 6000 competitors and be chosen as one of 45 people wining and entering the final round – that was happiness and also a big surprise! After the contest I decided to pursue my wish of becoming a professional designer, the dream I knew would come true.

I knew that the first step in my road to my dream was to study.

I joined the competition with a collection called “Day and Night” My main idea for this collection was day and night, past and present. Those two colors are opposite but can also exist parallel. They are rigid but also sweet and graceful. When I joined the competition, I didn’t think about winning a prize. I just wanted to satisfy my fashion hobby. I took my collection idea from normal life, observing the eyes of fashion and beauty of loving people.		I should learn systematically in a professional training environment. Finding a good school is so difficult. When I heard about LCFS, I was interested. I thought that LCFS was the place where I could start my dream and career. “Scholarship” is a word which I can only listen to or look at. According to me, the word’s meaning is “award for excellent pupils”, and I know that prize is so valuable. Seeing people who achieve scholarships, to study in England, France, America… or in their home university, I admire them so much, “they are so excellent” and besides, I envy their success: “Why can’t I achieve that prize? How are they so lucky!” I can’t forget the feeling when I knew that I had received a scholarship for LCFS. I felt surprised, happy and a bit proud of myself, an emotional chain in my mind. Now, I can smile satisfied that my choice was a good choice. I will stay in Ha Noi for 2 years, and be a Hanoi citizen. But more importantly, I will try to learn well to deserve LCFS’s trust.

By Hà Hương Giang-Chlóe

Everybody said that I am so strange, superficial when I gave up my job to study fashion. Is this right?? With me, that is a difficult decision. It seem has more wrinkle on my face and more white hair. But when I decide I will be responsible and never regret. I studied Japanese, a difficult language.

Then I worked for an IT company. That work is suit to my ability and professional knowledge. I thought that my life and career was fine. I am a womanly girl, I like fashion so much.

All fashion information attracted me. It seems to be my hobby. Once I surfed web, read my friend’s blog.

That day was great, though it I could have more information about the school and decided to learn here.

I stayed to think and consider a lot. I know that it will be so difficult. There are no concerning between Japanese language and fashion.

I myself feel unconfident. I have no idea on drawing, fashion, design. I wonder whether I should give up my current job, a quiet stable work to study another more difficult subject? I should accept my life or follow my real hobby. I always ask myself. My family strongly objected to my decision. Everyone thought that I built castle in the air. Sometimes, I gave up. Because I thought I was crazy when giving up my current lovely life and tried to learn other difficult field.

However, when I watched each fashion program or read any fashion magazine, the fashion love grew strongly.

Finally, I decided to study in LCFS. I accept every difficulties. I will try my best to prove myself and my family that my decision is right. I know that It is not easy.

Up to now, I have learned here for 2 weeks. I had to work so hard and this is the first time, I have approached the new knowledge. However, all teachers are so enthusiastic. They teach carefully and we always have a best condition to understand and practice my work. Learning was so hard but I feel happy because I make my dream come truth. I feel so great!

Hoang Thi Lan Anh, student intake 4 term 3 - May 2007

By Le Ngoc Uyen - Garment Construction Lecturer

The show just finished and Mrs. Barbara came back stage and said “Congratulations to all of us". "US" - a word used to express the union of teachers and students to prepare and present a small fashion show in a short period. The fashion show was in the Sheraton Hotel on 8Feb. The result was a terrific looking show.

As soon as Vicci requested volunteers, she got a long list. However, some students could not take part, but their enthusiasm to join was immediate.

Some of our students were models. They were as good as the professional models from silhouette to style. Linh felt a little quaver of nerves while waiting to come out, but when she stepped on stage, she was very confident.

We cannot help but give a big “thank you” to all the people who gave assistance towards the success of the show. They took care of the pressing of each outfit. Thao was conferred “women of the day" as she was never without an iron in her hand to check for wrinkles on garments - even if they were already on the model.

There were students who were in charge of helping models change as quickly as possible. There was a little problem with the zip of the final dress. Tu, with a charming smile on her face, stepped out onto the stage although I am sure she was worrying about her dress.

Duy was very excited and entertaining. He made the changing room boisterous with his funny actions. He was doubly proud, modeling his own garment and calling himself a super model.

The people who “made beautiful faces” were term 3 students. They worked quickly but were careful with hair, eyebrows, lips and the total look of the models. They finished quickly, and surprised themselves – they thought it would take much longer. Vicci and I had planned to use walkie-talkies and although I did practice with them, I could not get it to work properly. I then gave it to Garth; he also had problems. Luckily, we did not need them.

The models had to pass several checkpoints before reaching the stage. Mine was the first; I had to guarantee that four models stood in queue, and then they moved on to Son, who checked the outfit, then to Garth who checked that they were in the right order. In addition, Vicci and Barbara gave a final check.

Sometimes Garth asked me "where is number….". I said "not back yet” then when I turned to the changing room I saw them!

The event was a practice for the big fashion show in July. Its echoes will stay in each of us for a long time. When we reminisce about it, we smile with pride. We were not only proud of our well-prepared show but also proud and excited about showing our student designs in public. Leaving the show we all had happy faces, radiant smiles and were bubbling over with laughter and fun.

By Le Thanh Tu, student intake 4 - 2007 as model

A day to remember, 31^st Jan, Vicci, Linh Nau and I started at 9 a.m from LCFS to the Old Quarter to participate in a photo shoot. Two slim students with 2 big make up cases full of lip-stick, mascara, cream, powder and so on… Some of the make up I had never seen in my life because it is professional make up.

Vicci was the leader and kept an eye on the suitcase full of important things, the garments designed and made by LCFS students, which would be used in the photo shoot.

As the taxi traveled towards the center, I did not know what we would do next. We stopped at Ngoc Son temple where we had appointment with Mr. Phu. He is a friend of mine, we had spent times together while studying in Holland.

After 15 minute, he arrived but we had a problem. We did not have a place for make up and changing. We jumped into taxi and went round the streets to find another place.

Suddenly, Vicci saw “Culi Café”. She jumped out, ran into the shop, and returned with a smile on her face. “Ok, come on, we have a beautiful place for changing and taking photographs" (see the pictures posted here).

Travis, the Culi Café owner was very kind hearted when he let us turn his café into a studio. Phu came in with a pretty and shy girl. She had a typical oriental beauty.

Linh nau made me up. I loved her make up style – specializing in the natural and unperfected beauty of people. Vicci stood behind and pushed her. We needed to finish as soon as possible and get back to school because VTV4 was shooting a segment for one of their shows at the school that afternoon.

After getting ready, we started taking the photos. Vicci was stylist, Hang (Phu’s friend) and I acted as models, and Phu’s duty was to record the most beautiful moments in his pictures. For the best pictures, photographer, models and stylist need to have the same idea. We took many pictures in “Culi Café”, in the street and around Hoan Kiem Lake. There were many foreigners watching us. They stood along the pavement, making the street like a catwalk.

We were very proud of ourselves and were able to walk confidently in front of all the people.