London College of Fashion names winners of annual Enterprise Challenge

The first-place winner of the 2024 Enterprise Challenge Award is Paulina Swigart, MA fashion entrepreneurship and innovation, for her pitch on Shifted, a size-adjustable clothing brand with the aim of empowering women to feel confident in their bodies as they change over the course of their lifetime. In recognition she will receive a share of a $12,696 (£10,000) prize as funding to support the realisation of the finalists’ business ideas.  

Second prize was awarded to Dendi Alrashid, MA fashion entrepreneurship and innovation, for his pitch on Teman Merakit, a resource-sharing platform working to champion Indonesian creatives and to provide global market recognition for Indonesia’s local fashion heritage. Third prize was awarded to Daisy Royle, BA fashion design and development, for her pitch around Yanet, a fashion brand aiming to solve the neglect of curves on the runway, disrupt the current sizing system and redefine the shopping experience for plus-sized people.

Highly commended prizes went to Mariana Muhle, MA fashion entrepreneurship and innovation, for her pitch on Millbot AI and to a five-person group of Masters students making up the creative agency, Amplico.

The LCF Enterprise Challenge, now in its eighth year, culminates every June after an open call for submissions to LCF students across all year groups for ideas for an innovative product or service that they feel could make a real difference to a community, client or consumer group.

This year’s final took place on June 13 at LCF’s new East Bank campus in east London on the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, where the LCF students short-listed as finalists pitched their ideas to a judging panel of esteemed industry representatives comprised of Gavin Clark, head judge: UAL director of enterprise and commercialisation, Andrew Bravin: partner at Sheridans, Kat Deem: Senior Portfolio Editor, WME Fashion, Joe Kearins: Principle, Gate One part of Havas Group, and Gianluca Priori: general manager at Jumeirah Carlton Tower, sponsor of the Enterprise Challenge 2024, LCF said in a press release.

“I am so grateful for this experience and to be this year’s London College of Fashion Enterprise Challenge winner. I have learned so much throughout this process, and to have my hard work recognized is a huge honour. I am so thankful to everyone who has supported me on this journey, and I can’t wait to see what the future holds.  I’m looking forward to the opportunity to grow Shifted and to empower women to feel confident in their clothes and their bodies through size-adjustable clothing,” Paulina Swigart, the winner of this year’s Enterprise Challenge, said.

“All five finalists who have reached the Enterprise Challenge Final demonstrate the commitment and passion that is required to create a business from an idea, and this has been nurtured by the vibrant programme of activities, events and support that London College of Fashion provides. This is why UAL is rated as one of the best universities for producing entrepreneurs. We are really proud to see the continued development & growth of our previous Enterprise Challenge winners, who are inspiring those coming through,” Linda Roberts, director of graduate futures, business and innovation at London College of Fashion, UAL, said.

“We are a proud sponsor of the Enterprise Challenge at London College of Fashion UAL, an institution leading the creative world for over 100 years. Supporting young talent and initiatives who express bold identity with cutting-edge designs and modern creations puts Jumeirah Carlton Tower at the forefront of this unique and colourful industry. Having collaborated with them on our festive project in 2022 where we saw dedication, passion and creativity work in harmony, we are incredibly excited to be working with London College of Fashion once again,” Gianluca Priori, general manager at Jumeirah Carlton Tower, said.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (RR)