Soho and Carnaby Street and London College of Fashion Set the Stage for the Future of Tailoring Talent

As London Fashion Week approaches, the capital’s creative heartbeat is already quickening. On Sunday the 9th of February, fashion education and industry aligned through a standout partnership between London College of Fashion, UAL, and Soho and Carnaby Street.

Championing emerging talent, the partnership awarded two young designers a rare opportunity: access to coveted studio space in Soho - the historic heart of London’s most iconic fashion districts. This year’s winners, Tilda Jonathan and Johanna Boone, will enjoy exclusive workspace on Kingly Street, in an area long recognised as a launchpad for new ideas and trend-defining style.

Esteemed industry voices formed the judging panel, including bespoke tailor Mark Powell - an independent business owner of more than four decades - alongside Catherine Riccomini, Daniel Poulson, and Frances Odell. With pitches focused on sustainability, innovation, and future growth, this year’s winners now step onto a platform of greater visibility and possibility.

The competition’s influence is already clear. Joshua Millard, its inaugural winner, has gone on to open his first standalone store at 1 Marlborough Court. Its fellow winner, Sarah Hollebon continues to build momentum, expanding her business and reinforcing the programme’s role as a catalyst for emerging designers. For Tilda and Johanna, the journey is only just beginning, and with the vibrant streets of Soho as their backdrop, the possibilities feel limitless. Where this road may lead next remains unknown, but access to physical space, mentorship, and commercial insight lays the groundwork for a new generation of skilled LCF graduates to thrive in the world of fashion business.

From bohemian womenswear pop-up De La Vali to Parisian eyewear label Jimmy Fairly, Soho and Carnaby Street are alive with the latest fashion discoveries, a vibrant mix of heritage names and emerging talent. And if you need a break between the boutiques, the area offers something for every palette, whether you’re craving laid-back bites or a glass of fine wine or two.

Put simply, in London, fashion has never been just about what’s on the runway - it’s about what’s happening beyond it. Thanks to the partnership with London College of Fashion, a new generation of designers is being given the space to shape what comes next.