A CELEBRATED designer has been sharing his knowledge of the fashion business to students hoping to cut it in the style industry.
Menswear designer Nicomede Talavera drew on his entrepreneurial fashion experience to give a two day master class to fashion degree students at Cleveland College of Art & Design.
With a BA menswear degree and MA in fashion from Central Saint Martins, London, Nicomede, who has worked with design houses 3.1 Philip Lim in New York and Lanvin Homme, Paris, has already established his own fashion credentials with two successive shows at London Fashion Week.
“I visited CCAD last November as part of an inclusive higher education scheme with the University of the Arts, London,” explained Nicomede, 27.
“I was extremely impressed with college and was more than happy to come back when tutor Vicky Wake asked me if I would host a fashion lecture for their fashion students.
“I’ve been working with them to help edit their research for their final major project and also to focus them on the business and commercial side of the industry as well a hopefully helping to expand their creative ideas.”
Inspired by brands Comme de Garcon and Raf Simons, Nicomede has created his own signature look of traditional tailoring with a sportswear twist as well as an inspired collaboration with bag designers Eastpak.
“I’ve already seen some work here that has really impressed me and can’t wait to see if my input has an outcome,” said Nicomede.
“It’s so rewarding to be able to pass on the knowledge that I’ve gained within the industry -after all these students are our next generation of designers.”
The London-based fashionista is set to return to CCAD in April to assist the level 6 students in their final preparation before the college’s graduate fashion week.
“It’s been really refreshing having a designer as relevant and current as Nicomede come to work with our students,” said fashion tutor Vicky Wake.
They’ve all found him very engaging and helpful giving them a fresh eye for fashion and alternative ideas within their work.
“Visiting lecturers are a great way of helping to inspire our students and we’re planning on inviting a number of up and coming new designers to come into college to take part in more lecturers, and one to one sessions, throughout the year.”
Student Ashleigh Canfield, 21, of Seaham, who is in her final year at CCAD added: “It’s incredible to have someone as young, talented and in demand as Nicomede give up his time to come and help us with our work.
“He has done so much since graduating himself, but is very modest with it; I would love to have a career like him.”
For more information on opportunities at CCAD contact (01642) 288888 or log on to www.ccad.ac.uk.
