Her Majesty the Queen Consort visits the JCA London Fashion Academy
By JCA London Fashion Academy and Olivia Marshall
First Published: 10/03/2023
Location: London
Her Majesty the Queen Consort visits the JCA London Fashion Academy as part of her Boston Manor House visit.
Her Majesty the Queen Consort re-opens the newly renovated Boston Manor House as it celebrates its 400th anniversary. As part of the appointment, Her Majesty has visited the new JCA | London Fashion Academy with co-founders Professor Jimmy Choo OBE and Stephen Smith.
Originally the site of a mediaeval estate, Boston Manor House is a Grade One listed building, now open to the public offering a learning centre for children. In partnership with JCA | London Fashion Academy, the restoration has seen the service wing of the house converted into an artisanal Maker Space aimed at developing both undergraduate learners and local craftspeople to further their skills and incubate their businesses in fashion and fashion-related industries.
“It has been a huge honour having Her Majesty the Queen Consort with us today and showing her what we do at our new campus at Boston Manor House. Queen Elizabeth Mother reopened the site in 1963 after a period of restoration and we are extremely proud to be part of this legacy and the new transformation that the building and area will witness” - Professor Jimmy Choo, Co-founder of the JCA.
Inaugurated in September 2021, The JCA | London Fashion Academy is one of the newest emerging universities in the country dedicated to fashion. The pioneering fashion school prides itself on craftsmanship, and not only offers students the opportunity to learn how to make clothing and accessories but also provides them with a professional incubator and maker space to launch their business upon graduation.
Its first campus, headquartered in the heart of Hanover Square in Mayfair, focuses on design entrepreneurship and seeks to find, support and launch new designers by helping them to develop their brands and create beautiful collections.
The new Academy campus at Boston Manor House puts a focus on artisan crafts, design, and accessory making, whilst dedicating itself to unearthing and sculpting a new wave of creative talent. The historic building houses atelier workshops and design studios with specialist fabrication tools, co-working, and event spaces open to the public that act as a venue for arts and crafts markets. Moreover, with this second campus, the Academy aims to add a touch of flair and creativity to create a long-term progressive socio-economic impact on the local community of Brentford and of West London.
During her visit, Her Majesty the Queen met children from a local school involved in a shoe-designing workshop, toured the workspaces and met undergraduate and postgraduate students and local artisans sewing, cutting and designing garments.
“We established the Academy to enable and facilitate the next wave of fashion designers to harness their imagination, develop and hone their creative craft, and to inspire others around them. To welcome Her Majesty the Queen Consort has been an honour and privilege to us all. Her grace, candour and incredible generosity in spending time with our new designers has created an energy and buzz that will continue long after her visit.” - Stephen Smith, Founder of the JCA.