Introducing London
Example Cultural Experiences
THE V&A
The Victoria and Albert Museum in London is the world's largest museum of decorative arts and design, housing a permanent collection of over 4.5 million objects. It was founded in 1852 and named after Queen Victoria and Prince Albert.
The group will enjoy a private tour of the museum, during which the tour guide will describe the history of the V&A and introduce a selection of treasures from the Museum's outstanding collections.
HARRODS
Steeped in history, the establishment was opened by Charles Henry Harrod in 1849 – a man with humble beginnings as an East End grocer and tea merchant. The store boasts seven floors and 330 departments dedicated to the finest products in food, fashion, homeware and technology and is an example of luxury retailing at its finest.
The students will visit the store to explore the unmatched international brand collection and exceptional product quality, experience world class service and explore the various conceptualisations of retail theatre.
Example Site Visits
EDDIE GAVRIILIDIS AT THE SAMPLING STUDIO
Eddie Gavriilidis is a graduate of the Istituto Marangoni London and nominee for the Global Fashion Awards in New York. Eddie has worked with top industry designers like Alexander McQueen, Tom Ford and Lady Gaga. His work has been featured in the most influential international press and his clothes are worn by international celebrities such as the Kardashians, Daisy Lowe and Chloe Green.
The Sampling Studio produces high quality clothing samples, patterns, garment toils and also offers a range of other services including embroidery design and print production.
This visit would include a private audience with Eddie Gavriilidis and tour of The Sampling Studio.
PRUDENCE MILLINERY
A graduate of New York's Fashion Institute of Technology and a former assistant buyer for the Associated Merchandising Corporation, Prudence left New York and moved to London in 1986. After working as a freelance fashion stylist, she trained for several years in couture millinery. While she launched her first collection in 1990, it was Prudence’s collaboration with Vivienne Westwood that shot her into the hall of fame. Prudence’s hats are still made in the classical manner, using only traditional millinery techniques, and she boasts hat collections for many top designers and celebrities all over the world; her most famous and loyal customer being the Queen of England.
The tour includes a visit to Prudence’s studio in central London, where Prudence herself will show the group her design process, how the couture hats are put together and give a presentation on her branding and unique design identity. Prudence will also present current and past collections, showing videos and slows of her work throughout the years, her hats in the making and her collection of hat blocks.
BURBERRY
Burberry is arguably one of the UK’s most iconic brands. Founded in 1856 by a drapers apprentice and known most for its outerwear, the brand has made history by enabling some of the greatest adventures in history and being a favourite of Hollywood starlets for more than a century; dressing Raoul Amundsen when he reached the South Pole, Earnest Shackleton on his trans-Antarctic expedition and the likes of Humphrey Bogart, Audrey Hepburn, Kate Moss and Madonna. The Burberry brand is synonymous with its ‘Trench’ coat. Earning its name from its original purpose of attiring the soldiers in World War I, it is of now a hallmark of British design and hailed as a quintessential wardrobe staple. It is equally well known for the Burberry tartan of beige, grey, white, and red, known as the ‘Haymarket Check’.
Students will visit the brand’s flagship store in London for a private presentation on the Burberry brand and introduction to its latest collection.