In pictures: UAL alumni summit 2024 in Guangzhou, China

In December 2024, University of the Arts London held its first alumni summit in Guangzhou, China. The 2-day event was organised with long-standing partner, Trendy Group, who also hosted  at their incredible new headquarters.

The weekend was launched with a cocktail reception on the Friday evening, where guests were welcomed by Rathna Ramanathan, Head of Central Saint Martins, and Jacky Xu and Coral Li, Founders of Trendy Group.

The following day, guests attended a fashion drawing workshop led by Hywel Davies, Dean of M School and Programme Director for Fashion at CSM. The guests were split into groups for a hands-on session, drawing models using different techniques, styles and materials.

This was followed by a compelling and frank panel discussion between 4 alumni, who are all trailblazing creative entrepreneurs and fashion business owners:

• Masha Ma, fashion designer and founder of Masha Ma
• Yuan Yuan Jin (YY), founder of YYO COMMUNICATIONS
• Yuan Zhou, artist
• Terry Xu, marketing director at Miss Sixty.

The discussion explored how Chinese creatives are shaping internationally recognised brands, leveraging their UAL connections and thriving on a global stage.

To wrap up the weekend, guests were invited to a delicious dinner at the InterContinental Guangzhou Exhibition Center.

Photos from the weekend

Thank you to Trendy Group for all their support with organising and hosting the summit. It’s thanks to them that we were able to hold such a great weekend.

Thank you also to our alumni volunteers for all their help with organising and promoting the summit to the alumni community in China.

• Find out more about our international alumni associations.