Professor Jimmy Choo's JCA | London Fashion Academy, based in Mayfair, sets itself apart from other educational institutions by offering a higher education with practice-based learning, London Fashion Week catwalk shows and retail opportunities at its core. JCA is determined to create the next generation of fashion designers by consciously supporting their businesses from the day they arrive at the Academy.
JCA | London Fashion Academy has partnered with the R|Elan Circular Design Challenge and the United Nations in India to launch its second Masters in Fashion Entrepreneurship in Design and Brand Innovation (Sustainability Capsule programme). It supports sustainable fashion through scholarships and practical learning, culminating in a catwalk show at London Fashion Week.
Following the success of last year’s MA Sustainability Capsule programme, which showcased several exciting new sustainable designers, JCA has renewed the scholarship programme for a second year. This year, the programme is supported by India’s largest sustainability award for circular fashion – CDC and the UK’s fastest-growing pop-up specialist, supporting sustainable and independent brands – Lone Design Club.
CDC is presented by R|Elan, the next-generation fabric brand from Reliance Industries Limited (RIL), in association with the United Nations in India. Comprising 26 agencies, funds and programmes under the leadership of the UN Resident Coordinator, the United Nations in India collectively supports the Government of India and partners in achieving national development priorities and sustainable development goals. For over six years, CDC’s vision has been to raise awareness about sustainability and circular practices across all sectors of the fashion industry. It has since grown into India’s largest circularity and sustainability award, giving finalists the opportunity to be featured at the Lakme x FDCI Fashion Week in late October, where they will receive a monetary prize and mentorship.
This year, the international jury rounds kicked off successfully in Milan and the final meeting concluded in Mumbai, India. Each of the jury sessions featured strong submissions from exceptional designers in front of a prestigious panel, which made the selections. The CDC finalists who will be showcased at the upcoming edition of Lakme Fashion Week X FDCI in October are Wenyan Xu of Saltless for the EU, Tsang Fan Yu for the APAC region, Silvia Acién of ACIEN for the UK and Gautam Malik of Jaggery, Ritwik Khanna of RKive City and Chandini Batra of A Blunt Story from India.
“I am delighted to announce a landmark partnership that will drive the future of sustainable fashion. For over six years, the R|Elan Circular Design Challenge has been a model of innovation and environmental stewardship, with a mission to raise awareness of sustainability and circular practices across all sectors of the fashion industry.” Rakesh Bali, Senior Vice President, Reliance Industries Limited, saying.
“Today we are delighted to announce an exciting new collaboration with JCA | London Fashion Academy. This collaboration will support the Sustainability Capsule master’s programme at JCA, where students are dedicated to sustainability and circularity in fashion. Together, we will inspire and empower our young designers to lead the way in eco-fashion, creating designs that are not only beautiful, but innovative and sustainable. We look forward to seeing the incredible work that will emerge from this partnership and the positive impact it will have on the global fashion landscape. Together, we aim to lead the future of circular fashion, inspiring our younger generation to create designs that are both beautiful and responsible,” added Bali.
The Master of Fashion Entrepreneurship in Design and Brand Innovation (Sustainability Capsule programme) aims to identify, select and launch the best sustainable entrepreneurial designers, with a clear focus on sustainable materials, business models and creative practices. Throughout this one-year programme, students (designated by the JCA as entrepreneurial designers) will identify and develop their brand, design and create their founding collection, ready to be launched professionally at the Academy’s London Fashion Week show in September 2025. Crucially, the programme will deliberately encompass a wide range of design pathways, whether for men’s, women’s, unisex or fine tailoring, red carpet couture, bridal, lingerie, accessories or footwear, the company said in a press release.
This practical, design-oriented course combines entrepreneurial and vocational skills. JCA Master students will develop and sharpen a progressive and comprehensive range of personal, professional and entrepreneurial skills. During the year-long program, CDC will offer multiple workshops to students to help them develop their concepts and will share its experience and knowledge on circularity and sustainability with JCA’s emerging young designers.
With government funding for UK applicants, funding for global scholarships and resources made available through the partnership, the programme aims to attract top sustainable design talent who will be supported to develop a commercially viable brand, create and manufacture their first collection, which will launch at London Fashion Week and be immediately available to purchase from Lone Design Club.
Fibre2Fashion (RR) Press Desk
