Please be aware this is not a to do list but suggestions of things you might enjoy to ready yourself for the start of your course.
Immerse yourself in the Industry
To help you prepare for your studies, find inspiration and get up to date with the latest industry news please start by:
Following our Instagram @fashionbuying_ravensbourne and see what our students have been creating this year.
You may also want to follow Life of a Buyer to get an insiders view on the industry and look for other fashion accounts. Buying is not the only pathway we will explore!
Industry Knowledge
Sign up for the daily emails from these free websites and immerse yourself in what is going on in our industry at the moment. Please don’t pay for any websites as we can share free links when you arrive.
Fashion Network
Fashion United
Stylish guides to what’s going on in London - often for free!
theglossarymagazine.com - free online magazine, featuring best things to dol
LuxeGenOfficial YouTube channel - lots of videos with hints and tipsl
@popupslondon Instagram - guide to the best pop ups.
Inspiration
What brands inspire you, who would you dream of working for? Start to build a folder of images you like or that inspire you. Images can be from any source but here are few starting points. Pull images from magazines, Instagram or any sources you like.
Tag Walk
Dezeen
It’s Nice That
Hypebeast
Exhibitions
Visit a fashion exhibition or any other exhibition you fancy. There are lots on this summer, but quite a few finish at the beginning of September. These are just suggestions, entry to most galleries is free but exhibitions can be expensive, go to what you can afford and will inspire you.
A student Art Pass is only £10 and get's you 50% off entry to some exhibitions - once you enrol you will get your student email to apply.
Paint, Print, Pattern Textiles of Susan Collier and Sarah Campbell at the Fashion and Textiles Museum. Closes on 13 September.
Schiaperelli: Fashion becomes art - V&A, London. Finishes on 1 November, recommend waiting until you have an Art Pass to visit.
Nigo from Japan with Love - Design Museum London. Closes on 4 October.
The 90s: Art and Fashion - Tate Britain, London. Closes in February 2027, we are likely to go and visit this as a course.
Worn: the life within clothes - Manchester Art Gallery. Closes 13 February 2028.
Vivienne Westwood: Designer in Focus - Walker Art Gallery, Liverpool. Closes 17 October 2026.
The Burberry Trench: Crafting and Icon, V&A London. Opens on 21 September and is free!
Visit Stores
Find out what is new or inspiring in store/window design, what great stores do you have near you? Have a look at the latest concept stores with this article from Insider Trends.
It costs nothing (except tube fare) to look at new stores and be aware of the retail trends.
Nearest tube: Sloane Square
Kings Road, Chelsea: Look at the Look at the Rixo Flagship store, which other store has a bar with palm trees! H and M have a new concept store on this road. Farm Rio - watch this to see behind the scenes for the store's creation.
Roksanda, Sloane Street: An art-gallery-style concept residency blending the fashion collection with rare architecture-led furniture, floral design, and bespoke tailoring services.
Nearest tube: Covent Garden/Leicester Square
Covent Garden: Arc'teryx have opened a repair store in Covent Garden and Veja have a new concept with repairs in nearby Seven Dials.
Nearest tube: Oxford Circus
Kith, Regent Street: A massive flagship inside a historic building housing Kith collections, Kith Treats, and the Ronnie's restaurant concept. Sephora, Carnaby Street: A compact, 2,691-square-foot boutique format focusing on tight brand curations, viral social hits, and exclusive "Only at Sephora" lines. Pangaia also have a flagship store on Carnaby Street and Dries Van Noten is worth a visit in Hanover Square.
Soho: Fred Perry has a new flagship store on Lexington Street and Peachy Den on Brewer Street.
Nearest tube: Shoreditch High Street/Liverpool Street
Shoreditch High Street: Visit Nudie Jeans Repair Shop.
The Goodhood Store, Spitalfields: Relocated to an expansive 5,500-square-foot space near Spitalfields Market, stocking high-end streetwear, homeware, and grooming
Dalston: LN CC lifestyle at 18-24 Shacklewell Lane.
Do you have a great Independent store local to you or a lifestyle store? Take some photos, share it with us.
Listen to Podcasts
If you have time listen to a fashion podcast, this is a really fantastic list here to dip into. Expand your knowledge with podcasts about Art and Fashion.
Congratulations, enjoy your summer and come in September with ideas and industry knowledge.
