Upstart Portfolio Reviews @ the V&A South Kensington

Portfolio reviews with experts in the industry, get feedback and advice to support your future careers.

Bring your portfolio, laptop, phone or website and sign up on the day for a portfolio review to meet with a range of  graphic designers, fashion design lecturers, illustrators, creative directors, digital creators and photographers.

Book on the day for workshops at the National art Library front desk and from 10:15 (on the first floor of the V&A).

Upstart Festival 2025 is supported by the Adobe Foundation

Philip Scurrah – International Academic, London College of FashionPhilip Scurrah is an international academic at the London College of Fashion, specialising in portfolio curation and mentoring. He supports applicants in presenting their strongest creative identities, helping them gain entry to courses that best align with their individual ambitions. Within UAL, Philip also supports internal student progression and contributes directly to teaching and learning across a range of disciplines.

Philip’s professional background spans an impressive career as a Fashion Editor and Director across leading magazine titles — from the pioneering global lifestyle publication Wallpaper* to his role as Fashion Director at Selfridges Magazine and the independent Australian style authority Russh. His extensive industry experience includes directing catwalk shows and seasonal presentations throughout Europe, Australia, and India. Today, Philip continues to creatively direct and produce for a range of international clients.

Sessions:       

• 1.30–2.10pm 
• 2.30–3.10pm 
• 3.30-4.10pm

Adam Andrascik Speciality Digital Fashion

• Course Lead: MA Fashion Digital Futures at Ravensbourne University London
• Program Mentor: Paul Smith's Foundation Fashion Residency
• Co-Founder: Provineer, Safeguarding IP in the age of AI.

MA Fashion: UAL Central Saint Martins and BA Fine Arts Fashion: FIT Fashion Institute of Technology graduate. Global experience living and working in the US, Paris and London. Expertise as womenswear designer / creative director, now also driving Fashion innovation through digital technologies such as Clo3D and AI. 

Sessions:

• 11.30-12noon
• 12.15–12.45pm
• 1-1.30pm
• 2.30–3pm
• 3.15-3.45pm

Thida Hawkins Speciality Fashion

• Course Lead: BA Fashion at Ravensbourne University London
• External Examiner: BA Fashion Sportswear at UAL London College of Fashion  
• Fashion Industry Consultant: Design & Product Development, Brand Collaboration, Project Management, Sustainability Strategy (Carbon Literacy Certified) & Senior Lecturer (PGLTHE, FHEA)

PG Cert Innovative Pattern Cutting: UAL Central Saint Martins and BA Fashion: Manchester Metropolitan University graduate. Global experience working with brands in the UK, Europe, Middle East and Far East, specialising in print and collaborative projects. The hands-on adaptable approach includes fashion design and adjacent disciplines such as accessories, interiors, architecture, automotive, publications and charities. 

Sessions:

• 11–11.30am
• 11.45am-12.15pm
• 1.15-1.45pm
• 2–2.30pm               

Brindha Kumar Speciality IllustrationBrindha Kumar is a Malaysian illustrator based in London. Her work merges traditional Southeast Asian influences with contemporary digital abstraction, resulting in bold, layered compositions that explore the space between heritage and modernity. She has worked with global brands including Porsche, Apple, Selfridges, Lush, Adidas, and Starbucks.

Sessions:

• 1-1.30pm
• 2.30-3pm

Raissa Pardini Speciality Graphic DesignRaissa Pardini is the founder and Creative Director of Raissa Pardini Ltd., an independent creative agency based in South East London, working closely with clients such Apple, Nike, MTV, NYTimes, SKIMS, WeTransfer, Gucci, The Standard Hotel and artists like The Rolling Stones, Blur, Maneskin, Willie Nelson, Nadia Lee Cohen, Sarah Bahabah. Her passion for ethical matters got the studio closer to charities like Earth Percent, Endometriosis UK, Rape Crisis. Raissa Pardini takes part of the free mentoring program at LCC and the working class creative database. Raissa is also an international lecturer and speaker for universities and stages like Apple Store, Nicer Tuesday, OFFF Adobe Live, University of Florida, LABASAD, Offenbach, UAL, Lee University, IED.

Sessions:

• 2.30-3pm
• 3.15-3.45pm 

Dafy Hagai Speciality PhotographyDafy Hagai is a London-based photographer and artist whose work explores identity, femininity, and the shifting cultural landscapes of contemporary fashion. 
 

With a background in fine art photography, she has published multiple books, shaping her distinct perspective and storytelling. She has collaborated with brands such as Adidas, Levi’s, Paloma Wool and Eytys, and her work has been featured in Vogue Italy, Dazed, and i-D. Through her lens, Dafy reclaims the gaze, offering a bold, female-driven perspective that challenges conventions and reimagines beauty, community, and self-expression — creating space for new narratives in modern visual culture.

Sessions:

• 1-1.30pm
• 2.30-3pm
• 2.30 -3pm

Leonidas Liolios Speciality Graphic DesignLeonidas Liolios (he/him) is a graphic communication designer, publisher and educator based in London. His studio practice focuses on identity design and creative direction for cultural institutions and independent fashion labels. Select clients include Central Saint Martins, Camden Schools Art Biennale and Ceramic Art London. Leonidas is also a lecturer at the BA (Hons) Graphic Communication Design course and part of the Fashion Communication team at Central Saint Martins. Leonidas is also the publisher and editor of queer anglo-greek magazine The Boy Is Beautiful.

Sessions:

• 11-11.30am
• 12noon-12.30pm

Clubhouse Studio Speciality Graphic Design | Adobe program employer partners, with 3 mentors from their team:
Clubhouse Studio has collaborated with Adobe on campaigns that explore creative identity, culture, and community storytelling, often showcasing Adobe Creative Cloud tools in action.

Clubhouse Studio is an independent creative practice in London and Barcelona and is dedicated to producing thoughtful, beautiful creative with intention. Selected Clients include Adidas, Wales Bonner, Stella McCartney, Berghaus, Farfetch, Prada and Coty.

Sessions:

Nic Bruck: 

• 11-11.30am
• 12noon-12.30pm

Holly Rae Jones:

• 12noon-12.30pm
• 1-1.30pm

Jake Phillips:

• 12noon-12.30pm 
• 1-1.30pm