Central Saint Martins launches Louise Wilson MA Fashion Fund for 'talented students of the future'

Professor Louise Wilson OBE brought the MA Fashion course to 'international prominence' before suddenly dying last year

Professor Wilson, right, pictured here with Jonathan Saunders in 2012 (via Ian Gavan/Getty Images) ( Ian Gavan/Getty Images)

Central Saint Martins has officially launched The Louise Wilson MA Fashion Fund in memory of the professor who died suddenly last year.

Taking place at London’s May Fair Hotel last night, prominent members from the fashion industry – including Christopher Kane, Beatrice Ong and British fashion veteran Harold Tillman – gathered to raise awareness of the fund and to remember a friend and colleague.

As the head of the college’s MA Fashion programme from 1992 until her death, Professor Louise Wilson OBE, 52, was renowned for leading the course to international prominence.

The course’s glittering and influential alumni include Alexander McQueen, Christopher Kane, Simone Rocha and Jonathan Saunders.

Fashion designer, Christopher Kane, mingles with the guests last night (via Jeff Moore) (Jeff Moore)

Now, the newly-launched fund wants to break down barriers – including financial hardship – to give talented students, regardless of background, the chance to study on the leading master’s course through scholarships.

It also hopes to build upon the work undertaken by Professor Wilson to continue to support the enhancement of the teaching and technical resources at the college.

The hotel said it was “extremely proud” to support, what is sees as, “a worthy and important cause.”

Having herself earned an MA, with distinction, on the course in 1986, Professor Wilson’s successor, Fabio Piras, hopes the fund will bring-out the very best young designers.

He added: “We want to see our graduates continue to shape the future of the fashion industry, addressing present needs and exploring emerging creative challenges.”