London College of Fashion
During the middle of the COVID lockdown in 2020 Graham Henderson was asked to create a teaching package for final year students at the London College of Fashion. The brief was to introduce them to the ideas and themes of the Decadent Movement in the arts and literature from the late C19th century. This was, in turn, intended to be the starting point for them to come up with original fashion and design concepts inspired by this important cultural moment. The package proved extremely popular, attracting 34 students, and resulted in some exceptional original work, on which the students were assessed as part of their final degree. This innovative educational programme is a great example of how arts education can stimulate ideas ans contribute directly to the success of the creative industries. Its impact has certainly already been felt in the fashion world.
This arts education package arose out of Graham’s close involvement with the Decadence and Translation Network, led by Oxford and Glasgow Universities, which involved a series of conferences and live events between 2018-2020, some of which were programmed and hosted by Graham himself. The Network brought together academic experts on Decadence from all over Europe. Subsequently Graham also became a Board member of the Decadence Research unit of London University, and a Visiting Fellow at Goldsmith’s.
Arts education, connecting the latest in academic know-how with up-and-coming talented creatives represents an important and exciting way of promoting wider participation and excellence in the arts, whilst also contributing directly to the success of commercial applications.
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