The shoe empire built by Malaysian-born designer Jimmy Choo needs no introduction and this autumn, Jimmy Choo, or Prof Jimmy Choo OBE, will be refocusing his attention to education, opening the JCA London Fashion Academy in September. The school will focus on entrepreneurship and also serve as an incubator for aspiring artists and designers. Accredited through the University of West London, Jimmy Choo’s fashion academyl in Mayfair, London will register 100 students in its inaugural courses on fashion design, which will be concentrated on both technical and business aspects.Â
At the JCA London Fashion Academy, students will be exposed to the vast array of classes, workshops and events led by professionals from related fields. “The Academy is the best place to be for fashion students looking to gain entry into the industry as an entrepreneur,” the academy’s website explains. “We encourage all students to define their own market, develop their own brand, and design their own unique collections. We will professionally incubate you and your new business through your time at the JCA so you graduate with a business alongside your degree or master qualification.”
The curriculum is created by a team of academics under the guidance of JCA director of teaching and learning Susan Dillon, who was the former fashion course leader at Leeds College of Art. The newly enrolled will join the same sphere as other prestigious design colleges, including Central Saint Martins, the London College of Fashion and the Royal Academy of Arts. However, unlike most art and design schools which focus heavily on the creative design skills, JCA aims to equip students with the entrepreneurial skillset that will really drive them forward towards practical and measurable success.Â
See also: Decoding Genderless Fashion
