Name: Matt Braun
Age: 22
From: Upminster
Studied: BA (Hons) Fashion Design Technology: Menswear

Matt has just graduated from London College of Fashion and was supported by our Fashion Business Resource Studio to gain a job with Abercrombie & Fitch in Ohio, USA.

Why LCF?
I did a one year Foundation Art and Design to start with and was always interested in fashion although my background is more fine art and print based. My portfolio had no fashion in it before I started the Foundation at LCF. I used to do a lot of graffiti led design and from that I started really looking at what people were wearing and I just knew I wanted to do menswear.

Best part of the course?
Apart from getting the job?! Learning so much from scratch, like pattern cutting. Also, working with companies all the way along - you feel like you're in the business already.

Most valuable advice you've been given?
I got told that the fashion industry is too hard to get into. But then my tutors at LCF had faith in me and told me that if I worked hard I could do it. And I have.

Ultimate ambition?
To set up my own thing - but I want it to be very one-off and not mainstream at all.
That's a long way off though.

When do you start at Abercrombie & Fitch?
This October. I'm really excited. The offices are so laid back but you've obviously got to be prepared to work hard. It'll be 10/12 hour days but I'm ready for that. I'll learn so much; the attention to detail in every garment they produce is incredible. I'm really looking forward to getting started.

Matt Braun's menswear designs:
suede parka jacket.

Floral print hoodie.