University of the Arts London Alumni

Want to connect with other UAL alumni? Seeking a supportive space to bring yourself and your projects? Join the Enterprising Alumni Association for their monthly Living Room Salon.

📅 Thursday 19 September 2024
🕐 6pm - 7pm London / 9pm - 10pm Dubai / 1pm - 2pm New York Time
💫 Show and tell your work for up to 5 minutes in small breakout rooms with group discussions. All work mediums are welcome in this safe space.

What to expect:
🕐 Be fully present. Join on time and commit to the whole hour.
🌟 Interactive participation and fast-paced, not a passive webinar.
❤️ Be Kind. Exercise empathy and respect everyone.
📷 Camera on, stable internet, join with desktop and laptop (or tablet if needed.)
🚫 No Recordings or Photos. We respect your privacy and we do not consent to any form of recording, including note-taking bots. Group screenshots may happen at the end, but only with your consent.

🔗 Register now: https://lu.ma/s9vbrg6j

Commerciality and authenticity: the brand balancing act

A University of the Arts London x Great Bowery event

Thursday 12 September 2024
6.30 pm – 9.30 pm
The Library, Virgin Hotels New York, 1227 Broadway, New York, NY 10001

Full event details now confirmed.

Join UAL and Great Bowery for an insightful conversation on how to grow and sustain a brand for the future. We sit down with Gregg Lhotsky, Global Managing Director (BA and CLM), Great Bowery, alongside co-founders of Vault 49 Jonathan Kenyon and John Glasgow.

They’ll discuss
🌱 navigating market and cultural changes while retaining the soul of a brand
⚖ the importance of balancing profit and purpose
📈 how to work with and prepare for market disruptions and threats
👾 what AI will mean for creative brands and agencies moving forwards.

The evening will include a Q&A followed by networking drinks 🥂

Book your place via Eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/commerciality-and-authenticity-the-brand-balancing-act-tickets-991044640197?aff=oddtdtcreator

Image: Chelsea Undergraduate and Graduate Diploma Show 2024 | Photography: Berenice Guzzo

Kae Katz graduated with an MA in Fashion Futures from in 2020 and has been committed to researching sustainable practices ever since.

She’s the founder of an award-winning textile recycling start-up.

We caught up with her to discuss being a business owner and learning practical advice on embracing sustainability and being the change we want to see.

Read more: https://www.arts.ac.uk/alumni-and-friends/stories/discover-fibrelab

Are you passionate about luxury retail sales and fine jewellery?

Arts Temps is seeking exceptional Sales Consultants to join a jewellery retail chain based in Notting Hill. They are renowned for their high standards in customer service and exquisite jewellery collections.

Title: Sales Consultant
Location: London, Notting Hill
Salary: £25,000 permanent
Hours: 36.25hrs/week

Please note: The applicant MUST have luxury sales experience and exceptional customer service skills.

Apply here: https://artstemps.arts.ac.uk/vacancies/51031/luxury-sales-consultant-x-2.html

Calling all experienced sales assistants for an opportunity at one of London’s high-end luxury retail chains. This international chain is known for its ‘simple designs with premium touches’

Want to create a difference with your customer focused skills and passion for luxury fashion? Reach out to Arts Temps today!

Title: Retail assistant
Location: London, Walton Street / Dover Street stores
Salary: £27,000 permanent
Hours: 40hrs/week

Apply here: https://artstemps.arts.ac.uk/vacancies/51037/luxury-retail-assistant--full-time-permanent-x-2.html

‘Peckham Perspective’ opens on Thursday 15 August at Peckham Arches Gallery.

Originally from New York, Peckham-based graphic designer and founder of Nice & Graphic studio, Michelle Dwyer is celebrating her local community with a new exhibition.

Titled ‘Peckham Perspective’, Michelle wanted to “curate an exhibition that highlights the vibrancy of Peckham and encourages public participation which fosters a sense of collective creativity.”

The project began with gathering feedback and stories from Peckham residents. The responses have been transformed into nearly 200 hand-printed letterpress posters; each capturing a unique perspective on what Peckham means to its residents.

The posters will be on display from 15 - 22 August at Peckham Arches Gallery. 50% of the profits from the sales will be donated to Pecan, a local charity celebrating 35 years of fighting poverty in Southwark.

Find out more: https://www.arts.ac.uk/alumni-and-friends/stories/discover-nice-and-graphic

UAL alumni meet-up in Sydney
Thursday 15 August 2024
From 5pm
THEECA, 1 Burton Street Darlinghurst, NSW 2010 Australia

Join us for our first UAL Alumni meet-up in Sydney. It’s a great opportunity to connect with creative graduates living in and around Sydney.

Come ready to mingle, share experiences and expand your network.

The evening is also a chance to meet with new UAL recruits, who’d love to hear about your experiences of studying in London. We’ll be joined by Philip Scurrah, International Student Recruitment Coordinator Academic from London College of Fashion.

Don't miss out on this fantastic chance to reconnect with old friends and make new ones.

Book your place: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/ual-alumni-meet-up-in-sydney-tickets-934415520977?aff=oddtdtcreator

Image: Shuang Yang, 2023 BA Fine Art: Photography, Camberwell College of Arts, UAL | Photograph: Kristy Noble

Who caught Monday night’s finale? 👀

Well, we have a very fiery surprise for you! 🔥

sat down with the incredible Caroline McCall, - Wimbledon graduate and costume designer for season 2 of ’s hit Game of Thrones prequel, House of the Dragon! 🐉

With an Emmy and BAFTA win under her belt, Caroline has worked on shows including Downton Abbey, His Dark Materials, Shakespearean drama, Will, and Little Dorrit. Most recently, Caroline has turned her attention to Westeros, designing for the iconic House of the Dragon, set 150 years before Game of Thrones 👑🎭

Graduating in 1999 from Costume Design Interpretation (now BA Costume for Theatre and Screen), Caroline spoke to us about her time studying at Wimbledon, her entry into the film and TV industry and time working on House of the Dragon!

Read the full interview via the link in our bio ⬆️





Image credits:

Image by Theo Whiteman, HBO
Image by Ollie Upton, HBO
Image by Ollie Upton, HBO
Image by Ollie Upton, HBO
Image by Theo Whiteman, HBO
Image by Ollie Upton, HBO
Image by Ollie Upton, HBO
Image by Theo Whiteman, HBO
Image by Theo Whiteman, HBO
Image by Ollie Upton, HBO

Mina Orak's new show, ‘The Little Death’, opens in August at the King’s Head Theatre in Islington. The play is a self-starring comedic journey exploring the messy and realistic experiences of female sexuality, based on her final MA project. She graduated from MA Performance: Design and Practice at in 2023.

Mina spoke to us about her experiences of putting on a professional show a year after graduating.

Read the interview: https://www.arts.ac.uk/alumni-and-friends/stories/meet-mina-orak

A round-up of photos from our events over the past few months:

🕯️ Guests at Le Comptoir Général for our first alumni event in Paris. Photograph: Louis Westerloppe

✨ Guests enjoying the alumni celebration at LCC Shows 2024: Screen back in June. Photograph: Berenice Guzzo

🌱 Graduates in Berlin enjoying the beautiful private garden at Hallesches Haus. Photograph: Nassim Rad

🌻 Our annual alumni celebration at CSM to see the works on display by the graduating students. Photograph: Angela Tozzi

🎨 Guests at , a contemporary art gallery owned by graduate Niccolò Fano. Photograph: Flavia Cortonicchi

💖 Guests hugging the Chelsea alumni celebration in June. Photography: Berenice Guzzo

🌞 Graduates at a recent event in Seoul, organised by .alumni.korea.

Filmmaker and producer Mark Lonsdale’s career spans music videos, commercials, branded content, documentaries and cinema released short dramas.

Mark’s dual interest in film and public spaces led him to completing an MA in Narrative Environments at Saint Martins in 2022.

He’s currently working on FOUND! a project which began in his final year. The ongoing community project is in collaboration with the British Library and the Hillview Estate in Kings Cross, with the aim to create a space in which stories from a local community are explored and extended through the rich resources of the British Library.

Mark spoke to us about FOUND! and the importance of institutions engaging with their communities.

Read more: https://www.arts.ac.uk/alumni-and-friends/stories/meet-mark-lonsdale

Image credit: Photograph courtesy of Mark Lonsdale

[Image description: Guests looking at works on display in the Found exhibition.]

Heather Delaney is using her experiences in the fashion industry to make positive, sustainable change with her new businesses.

Having completed her BA in Fashion Management at in 2005, Heather went on to have a successful career working as fashion buyer for brands including Ralph Lauren.

Her experiences led to her identifying a gap in the market for virtual assistant services for fashion start-ups and small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). And so she launched Recrea VA (), as well as Recrea Ltd (), a sustainable fashion event host platform.

She spoke to us about setting up her own businesses, and her full circle moment when she returned to LCF to teach.

Read more: https://www.arts.ac.uk/alumni-and-friends/stories/meet-heather-delaney

Image credit: Denim upcycling workshop | Photograph: Heather Delaney

Samar F. Zia () is an artist, writer and curator. She’s recently launched Art Social, a workshop where families can work on a piece together to then take home. She told us more about how her own experiences led her to setting up Art Social.

Find out more about Art Social workshops: https://www.arts.ac.uk/alumni-and-friends/stories/art-social-samar-zia-runs-creative-workshops-for-the-whole-family

Image credit: Samar in the studio

[Image description: Samar standing in profile to the wall. Behind her, 4 paintings are hung in a square. She’s wearing a green shirt and a pink and green head scarf, and she mixing paint on a pallet.]

We recently spoke to Olivia Broome, an graduate who, having studied journalism now runs an incredibly successful Instagram account .
The account has now been turned into a book, published by , which delves into the connection between Brutalist architecture and plants.

Read the interview: https://www.arts.ac.uk/alumni-and-friends/stories/meet-olivia-broome

Image credit: Reinforced hillside, Aogashima, Tokyo, Japan | Image Yasushi Okano - .designing

[Image description: taken from a low angle, a photo of a wavey, concrete wall in a grid formation, with plants growing in each gap.]

Taking place throughout June, International Black Heritage Month celebrates the strength, diversity, richness and unique experiences of black heritage around the world. By gathering and curating content from around the world, International Black Heritage Month aims to broaden the existing narratives and highlight the diversity of people with black heritage.

The month is about the power of communication and storytelling; and how important it is to be educated to bring about the change needed for diversity, inclusion and positive impact.

So we’re highlighting the profiles and achievements of creatives from within the UAL graduate community.

https://www.arts.ac.uk/alumni-and-friends/stories/international-black-heritage-month-highlights-from-the-alumni-community

Image credit: Close up of Chris Ofili's Requiem Chris Ofili, Requiem, 2023 (detail) commissioned for Tate Britain’s north staircase © Chris Ofili. Courtesy the artist. Photograph: Thierry Bal

Monthly Networking Drinks for Enterprising Alumni ⁠

Next date: Thursday 27 June 2024 ⁠
6pm - 8pm ⁠
Babel Beerhouse, 1 Lewis Cubitt Walk, London, N1C 4DL ⁠

⁠Please note that there will not be monthly networking drinks over the summer break.

⁠Sponsored by Great Bowery. ⁠

⁠The regular meet-ups are an opportunity to hear from alumni who are using their entrepreneurial and creative skills; to build a better world, find sustainable solutions, and bring something positive to their community or field. ⁠

⁠We hope you’ll come along to enjoy the drinks, meet other creatives, and hear from inspiring graduates. ⁠

⁠You’ll receive a complimentary drink, sponsored by Great Bowery. ⁠Plus ones are welcome! ⁠

⁠Book your place https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/monthly-networking-drinks-for-enterprising-alumni-tickets-757837822327?aff=oddtdtcreator

📸: ⁠Berenice Guzzo

[image description: UAL alumni gathered for the UAL Purpose-driven & Social Enterprises event, March 2023]

Alumni networking in Rome

Tuesday 18 June 2024
6.30pm – 8.30pm
Matèria Gallery, Rome

Join us for the UAL Alumni Networking in Rome event! Whether you're a recent graduate or a seasoned professional, this is the perfect opportunity to connect with fellow alumni in a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere.

The event will be held at , in the heart of Rome. Come ready to mingle, share experiences, and expand your network. Don't miss out on this fantastic chance to reconnect with old friends and make new ones.

See you there!

Book your place via this link https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/biglietti-ual-alumni-networking-in-rome-904793219877?utm-campaign=social&utm-content=attendeeshare&utm-medium=discovery&utm-term=listing&utm-source=cp&aff=ebdsshcopyurl

📸: Aicha Thomas, 2022 MA Fashion Photography, London College of Fashion, UAL | Photograph: Aicha Thomas

[Image description: the image features two people of color standing in front of a wall of rocks]

Monthly Networking Drinks for Enterprising Alumni ⁠

Next date: Thursday 30 May 2024 ⁠
6pm - 8pm ⁠
Babel Beerhouse, 1 Lewis Cubitt Walk, London, N1C 4DL ⁠

Sponsored by Great Bowery. ⁠

⁠The regular meet-ups are an opportunity to hear from alumni who are using their entrepreneurial and creative skills; to build a better world, find sustainable solutions, and bring something positive to their community or field. ⁠

⁠We hope you’ll come along to enjoy the drinks, meet other creatives, and hear from inspiring graduates. ⁠

⁠You’ll receive a complimentary drink, sponsored by Great Bowery. ⁠Plus ones are welcome! ⁠

⁠Book your place at this link https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/monthly-networking-drinks-for-enterprising-alumni-tickets-757837822327?aff=oddtdtcreator

📸: ⁠Adam Razvi .razvi

[image description: UAL alumni gathered for CSM summer shows 2022]

Alumni networking in Berlin

Tuesday 4 June 2024
6pm – 9pm
Hallesches Haus, Berlin

Join us for the UAL Alumni Networking in Berlin event! Whether you're a recent graduate or a seasoned professional, this is the perfect opportunity to connect with fellow alumni in a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere.

The event will be held at , in the heart of Berlin. Come ready to mingle, share experiences, and expand your network. Don't miss out on this fantastic chance to reconnect with old friends and make new ones.

See you there!

Book your place: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/ual-alumni-networking-in-berlin-tickets-901498134187?aff=oddtdtcreator

Credit: Ming Zhu, 2023, MA Commercial Photography, London College of Communication, UAL | Photograph Ming Zhu

[Image description: 2 people standing in a large, blue room painted blue with windows. The people are standing on stools and have their backs to each other. They’re separated by a wall.]

Joanne Coates is a working class visual artist who lives and works across the North East of England.

Joanne is a BA Photography graduate from London College of Comunication. She recently won the Baltic Vasseur Artist Award for her work, Middle of Somewhere. The award includes an exhibition at the Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art in Gateshead. The exhibition opens today and is on until 17 November.

Through her photography, Joanne looks at rurality, hidden histories and inequalities, and explores how to tell stories. She wants us, not to feel pity for the people in her work, but to learn something deeper about ourselves. Can art make us ask questions about who is overlooked and why?

She spoke to us about what drew her to photography and the importance of public funding in the arts.

Read more: https://www.arts.ac.uk/alumni-and-friends/stories/meet-joanne-coates

Credits:
1. ‘Annie Stones’, Daughters of the Soil | Photographer: Joanna Coates
2. ‘Kyle Kent’, North Sea Swells | Photographer: Joanne Coates
3. Horses tethered at a clearing next to the port in Middlesborough, Teeside | Photographer: Joanne Coates/Bloomberg
4. On a wing and a prayer | Photographer: Joanne Coates

📣 Calling all UAL Alumni, are you seeking permanent positions?

Looking for roles in retail and merchandising?

UAL Arts Temps currently have four permanent positions live on their jobs board for one of Japan’s cultural hubs in London. As part of the team, you'll have the opportunity to immerse yourself in Japanese culture, working alongside a passionate team committed to fostering understanding and appreciation of Japan's rich heritage.

✨ Retail Duty Manager
✨ Merchandising Assistant
✨ Senior Merchandising Manager
✨ Retail Marketing Executive

Sounds like you? Visit Arts Temps’ jobs board to apply:
https://artstemps.arts.ac.uk

Image credit:
Mattis Rump 2021 BA Visual Merchandising and Branding, London College of Fashion, UAL

UAL Alumni Networking in Paris
Tuesday 14 May 2024
6.30 – 8.30pm CEST
Le Comptoir Général 84 Quai de Jemmapes 75010 Paris France

Join us for a night of reconnecting, mingling, and making new connections in the beautiful city of Paris. This in-person event is the perfect opportunity to catch up with old classmates, meet fellow alumni, and expand your professional network. Don't miss out on this chance to reminisce about your time at UAL and discover new opportunities.

Book your place for the Alumni event in Paris: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/ual-alumni-networking-in-paris-tickets-885610664337?aff=oddtdtcreator

Credit: My illusion, Mengtong Chen, 2022 MA Fashion Artefact, London College of Fashion, UAL | Photograph: Mengtong Chen

[image description: a bent knee with a blue visor resting over it.]