Central Saint Martins Takes Over London's Billboards One By One

Students all over have undeniably been one of the hardest-hit groups by the pandemic; years of savings gone towards years of studying not even to experience a graduation (or seldom face to face teaching time). Wanting their students to experience the euphoria of graduating and completing their degree, Central Saint Martins have added a twist to the typical celebration that normally sees students cloaked in black, forcing a cheesy smile for the cameras while they accept their certificate. This year, Central Saint Martins' BA Fashion Communication class of 2021 have taken to the streets of London with a series of billboards and posters featuring their final projects. The students' work from the course's three pathways, Fashion History and Theory, Fashion Communication and Promotion and Fashion Journalism, can be found dotted around the capital, stamped onto billboards all over the city from the university's stomping ground King's Cross, to Covent Garden and Camden. Posters and billboards can also be found as far out as Bethnal Green, Hackney and Wimbledon.

Existing to serve the appetite of the fashion curious and literate who want to challenge the world around them, intrigued by the thought of finding new ways to communicate fashion as a whole, the course originally started in 1974 then called Fashion Communication and has since branched out to include pathways that specialise in history and journalism. Since being founded the course has birthed a myriad of fashion greats from the genius that is Ib Kamara to the brilliance of Alexander Fury. Other alumni include Thomas Persson of Acne Paper, Gareth Wrighton, Kate Phelan, Katie Grand, Sharmadean Reid, Poppy Kain, Campbell Addy, Amelia Dimoldenberg, Christopher Simmonds and many more.

Commenting on the particular difficulties faced by CSM's graduating class of Fashion Communication 2021, the course director Philip Clarke said in a statement:

'Despite restrictions, students on each of the three pathways have reacted fearlessly and creatively. The themes of student projects have often responded directly to the pandemic and to other global issues or, conversely, have taken the opportunity to explore forms of escapism and alternate realities through image-making or digital technologies. We're particularly proud of their achievements and have seen a really high standard of work. This year's graduates will become photographers, art directors, filmmakers, brand consultants, image-makers, stylists, journalists, curators and researchers. The format of fashion communication has evolved rapidly since last March, with designers, brands and magazines presenting alternative formats to established platforms and channels. The class of 2021 will be at the forefront of ongoing change in this ever-evolving field.'

Always adapting, challenging the industry as a whole while being the place many people look to for the next generation of fashion talent, Central Saint Martins strives to be at the heart of the debate concerning fashion's future. With a commitment to sustainable practices and thinking, they strive to reflect and influence the industry's ongoing transformation. Valuing failure as much as success, students, staff, and alumni are proud of the history and legacy of what it means to have studied Fashion at Central Saint Martins.