Associate Lecturer. Course Leader, MA Fashion Design Pathway Leader for Fashion Design, Graduate Diploma in Art & Design and Pre-Masters in Art & Design
Born in Denmark, Jens moved to Paris in 1987 where he assisted fashion photographer Gunnar Larsen, before studying Haute Couture design at the Ecole de la Chambre Syndicale de la Couture. Following graduation, he worked as a fashion journalist for the Scandinavian press before taking a Masters Degree in Fashion Management at INSTITUT FRANCAIS DE LA MODE in Paris. Following graduation in 1994, Laugesen spent the following six years working as designer, studio manager and head of collection for a number of design houses in Paris at both Haute Couture and Ready-to-Wear level. In 2000, Jens relocated to London, where he joined the prestigious MA Fashion (Womenswear) course at CENTRAL SAINT MARTINS, under the mentorship of Professor Louise Wilson.
Graduating with a distinction in February 2002, his much-acclaimed graduate collection was selected by Paris boutique Maria Luisa to be exhibited in the store windows during Haute Couture week, whilst also being invited by Lulu Kennedy to present his collection in the talent spotting FASHION EAST show. The debut collection was heralded by Observer Magazine as “London’s answer to Helmut Lang“, resulting in him being awarded the British Fashion Council’s NEW GENERATION award, promoting him to the official London Fashion Week schedule.
Collaborating with Nick Knight for SHOWStudio, he became known as a pioneer in fashion film. His eponymous brand was stocked in some of the finest stores world-wide, including Doverstreet Market and Selfridges (London), Maria Luisa (Paris), Lazzari (Treviso, Italy), Andreas Murkodis (Berlin), UK Style (Moscow), Susan of Burlingame and Opening Ceremonie (USA), IT and Shine (Hong Kong), Loveless, Adelaide and Beams International (Tokyo).
In 2006, Jens became the first London designer to be awarded the French ANDAM FASHION AWARD, with financial support by LVMH GROUP and L’Oreal, allowing him to present his AW07/08 collection in Paris with an exhibition at the Musee des Arts Decoratifs, in the Louvre. His following collection was described by Vogue.com as ‘one of the most beautiful shows of London Fashion Week’. Since 2008, Jens has been a strategic design consultant for international brands including Calvin Klein Collection and J Mendel in New York, LG Fashion Corp in Seoul and Net-a-Porter in London. Jens has also taught fashion at CSM (UAL), LCF (UAL), Ecole de la Chambre Syndicale de la Couture in Paris, and the University of Westminster.
