Stephen Smith always knew he wanted to become a filmmaker, yet due to having A-levels in science he couldn’t get into film schools that interested him. Instead of giving up hope he developed an unconventional solution.
“I found a university where I wanted to study film, and convinced the course leader that if I took both courses simultaneously (chemistry in year one and his course in year two), then they’d accept me into their programme,” Smith remembers. He successfully made it work and soon started studying towards his dream film degree degree: entrepreneurialism was in his blood from day one! Looking back, Smith sees this feat as evidence of entrepreneurialism; solving problems was something he learned at an early age.
Smith began his career in film production before transitioning into academia – ultimately co-founding fashion academy JCA in London alongside fashion designer Jimmy Choo.
The academy opened in 2021, and while its courses are accredited by University of West London, its approach differs significantly from traditional universities in key respects. Chief among them: an emphasis on teaching design practice alongside how to run a design business. “Our intention was to establish an academy whose singular goal is supporting an independent fashion designer’s path,” states Smith.
