Carnaby and LCF support next generation of tailoring talent

Shaftesbury, owner of London's Carnaby district, has joined forces with London College of Fashion, UAL (LCF) to offer two young tailors the chance to establish their fledgling businesses.

Two LCF graduate tailors who have emerging businesses are set to take up residency in a physical incubation space to help the get established in the early stages of their businesses. The space is located in Kingly Street, Carnaby, and is the existing home to three floors of tailors who have historically made suits for rock ‘n’ roll royalty, film stars, TV personalities and some of the world’s most well-dressed men and women.

After the initial selection process, finalists presented their business plans to the expert judging panel consisting of Harold Tillman CBE, Mark Powell celebrity tailor, Tom Horne founder of menswear label L’Estrange and Sam Bain-Mollison, Head of Retail at Shaftesbury. Two winners were selected, Joshua Millard and Sarah Hollebon, and they will take up residency this summer in their new home on Kingly Street.

Joshua Millard born and raised on a sheep farm in Southern England graduated from London College of Fashion in Bespoke Tailoring in 2014. He designs a transitional wardrobe of longevity, tailoring and outerwear that last beyond fast trends. The brand places emphasis on quality of fabric and the majority of the collection consists of natural fibres which respect the environment and animal welfare. Joshua Millard works with lamb nappa and shearling, a bi-product which is ethically sourced across the UK and Europe.

Millard said of the win: “I am really excited to be part of the Shaftesbury & LCF programme. To be working with such great mentors to help develop the business is an incredible opportunity.”

Sarah Hollebon graduated from London College of Fashion in 2018 with aspirations to expose and encourage understanding of social issues by merging tailoring, fashion, art and technology. Each sculptured piece is an evocative representation of a social issue or mental health condition, showing her innovative yet classic approach to tailoring.

She said: “I am elated and thrilled to be selected for this magnificent opportunity.”

In addition to the incubation space and mentoring, LCF will provide a specialist programme of business support.

Harold Tillman CBE, a graduate of LCF in 1965, will provide personal mentoring and a bursary towards the hire of necessary equipment for the graduates. Chair of The Ethical Fashion Forum and its platform CO, a business network for the fashion industry, Harold has been head of heritage brands Jaeger and Aquascutum, and was Chairman of the British Fashion Council between 2008-2013.

“The tailoring skills taught to me by London College of Fashion have underpinned my careerand I am looking forward to working with the young tailors of the future and imparting my knowledge to help them establish their businesses," he said.