Friday, 06 May 2022

Why we wish this dream collaboration with Stella McCartney was televised

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Dougal Macarthur

Today, one world-leading technology brand, and one iconic fashion designer team up to challenge MA Design students in an eight-week live brief to explore the relationship between fashion and technology.

Lenovo collaborates with Stella McCartney and Central Saint Martins to champion “the future of sustainable fashion design through technology”.


World-leading technology brand, Lenovo is collaborating with iconic fashion designer and conscious luxury pioneer Stella McCartney, and world-renowned art and design college Central Saint Martins University of the Arts London, to help inspire and empower the next generation of designers on sustainable fashion design.

As a powerhouse innovator in all things design-led, Stella will inspire 38 students from the Central Saint Martins MA Design course to channel their desire to change the world for the better and apply their creativity in an eight-week live brief. They will each be tasked to explore the relationship between fashion and technology and create a sustainable solution that pushes the boundaries of where they intersect.

Following the design challenge, one winning student, as chosen by Stella, will be awarded a three-month internship at Stella McCartney in a department of their choice.

Lenovo is providing cutting-edge Yoga PCs to enable each student who takes part to unlock their creativity.

Unveiling only yesterday the next generation of premium, ultra-slim Windows 11 Yoga laptops, including the Yoga Slim 7i Pro X enabling creation anywhere, anytime.

The collaboration puts the power for change in the hands of tomorrow’s visionaries at Central Saint Martins and empowers them to make a real difference. To help the students unlock their creativity, Lenovo is providing cutting-edge Yoga PCs to each student who takes part. Each receiving the latest Yoga convertible device packed with innovative features to help power their creativity. From streaming, to browsing, to photo and video editing and more, users can experience the real-world performance needed for their biggest breakthroughs on one of Lenovo’s thin, light, and fast convertible laptops.

 Stella McCartney commented, “At my fashion house, creativity and technology have always gone hand-in-hand. That’s why I am so excited to partner with Lenovo on this incredible project – coming together today so we can empower the creative visionaries of tomorrow at my alma mater, Central Saint Martins. As a progressive luxury brand, Stella McCartney has always looked to the future, and I know that Lenovo is as keen about protecting the planet as I am. Together we are excited to be able to support the next generation of talent in developing something entirely new in sustainable fashion, and I cannot wait to see the results!”

Simon Fraser, Course Director MA Design, Central Saint Martins commented, "Key to the work we do as a course is an understanding that the sustainability and ethicality of production is an urgent challenge to each of our disciplines, ceramics, furniture and jewellery. We are delighted to have the opportunity to test the principles and practices of MA Design with our inspirational alumna Stella McCartney and the forward-thinking team at Lenovo. The students and the staff have embraced this challenge."

Brian Leonard, Vice President of Design Innovation, Lenovo commented, “At Lenovo, we are always striving to create innovative and smarter solutions to build a more sustainable future, which is why collaborating with Stella McCartney and Central Saint Martins felt so right. It’s bringing together leaders of three different sectors – fashion, design and technology – all of which all share the same values of delivering meaningful change. Through this partnership we are setting the stage for the future generation of those looking to change the world and we’re very excited to see what is created.”

Sustainability underpins everything at Lenovo, unveiling today the next generation of its premium, ultra-slim Windows 11 Yoga laptops, including the Yoga Slim 7i Pro X enabling creation anywhere, anytime. This laptop was created with sustainability in mind; it’s delivered at your doorstep within a recycled cushion and FSC approved paper box, its battery pack is made from 25% recycled content, whilst its 100W adapter is made from 30% recycled content. The Slim 7i Pro X is also EPEAT Silver certified and offers a CO2 Offset service, so consumers will be able to enjoy Lenovo’s newest technology, whilst also helping to achieve their sustainability goals.

We wish all students the very best and expect all will land their dream opportunity both in and outside of this jaw dropping team challenge.

A Little Bit About Central Saint Martins, Ual

Central Saint Martins is part of University of the Arts London (UAL), an international centre for innovative teaching and research in arts, design, fashion, communication and the performing arts. The University is made up of six Colleges: Camberwell College of Arts, Central Saint Martins, Chelsea College of Arts, London College of Communication, London College of Fashion and Wimbledon College of Arts.

Across art, design and performance the students and staff of Central Saint Martins create ideas, materials and actions for a better future. Among our alumni shaping the world through creative action are Campbell Addy, Matty Bovan, Hamish Bowles, Craig Green, Grace Wales Bonner, Nicholas Daley, Isamaya Ffrench, Alex Fury, Katie Grand, Conner Ives, Kim Jones, Ib Kamara, Stella McCartney, Harris Reed, Simone Rocha,Riccardo Tisci and Scarlett Yang.

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