Young Chinese designers increasingly head to London art, fashion schools
Business remains the top draw for young mainlanders studying in London but enrolment in creative arts schools has tripled in recent years
Chinese students who go abroad have a reputation for studying "pragmatic" subjects like business or science, but an increasing number are staking out identities in London's design and fashion worlds.
The change is part of a larger trend that is seeing "Made in China" evolve into "Created in China", even as students in the British capital say working in a field that relies on rule-breaking takes some adjusting to.
The number of Chinese studying creative arts and design in London has more than tripled over the past five years to 1,585, according to official British figures. Only business courses attract a greater number.
"There is obviously a huge creative talent base in China, and London offers a great place to study," said Phil Nettleton, a spokesman for the city's official promotional organisation, London & Partners. "Names like the Guildhall, St Martins and the Courtauld resonate throughout the art world as symbols of excellence and cutting-edge thought."
The University of the Arts London, which includes the Central Saint Martins School of Art and Design and London College of Fashion, saw a more than 100 per cent increase in the number of Chinese students over the same period. About 560 Hongkongers are studying at London art and design schools.
"London is definitely the most popular [choice] and Central Saint Martins and the Royal College are the most popular universities," said Ejing Zhang, an up-and-coming designer and textiles graduate from the Royal College of Art.
She added that the city's museums, diversity, nurturing environment, and famous alumni - including her design heroes Alexander McQueen and Hussein Chalayan - were its key draws.
