Lawanda Hilaire

Lawanda Hilaire is a Lecturer at the London College of Fashion (LCF), part of the University of the Arts London. She holds a PG Cert Buying & Merchandising from LCF and has 15 years of global fashion buying experience across luxury retailers in London, New York, Dubai, Australia, Russia, Brazil, and South East Asia. Her expertise spans product development, trend forecasting, and new business management.

As an LCF alumna and former industry professional, she transitioned to academia via the Academic Development Fund, established through student feedback. Her teaching focuses on hands-on, dialogue-driven learning for the BA (Hons) Fashion Buying and Merchandising course, emphasizing analytical skills and real-world retail challenges.

Lawanda mentors final-year students and emphasizes the rigorous demands of the field, urging aspiring buyers to master mathematics and Excel. She is proud of her career trajectory, including relocating to London to expand her expertise as an international buyer.

No scientific awards or publications are listed, though her contributions to curriculum development and student mentorship are central to her role. She advocates for a balanced view of the industry, highlighting both its glamorous aspects and the hard work required to succeed.