Dawuud Loka

My name is Dawuud Loka, and I was awarded a full scholarship to study at the Royal College of Art (RCA). The RCA offers a one-year Master’s programme in Fashion. Before beginning my studies there, I have spent about ten years independently building my fashion brand, MeezanLMT. My ideas were directly inspired by verses from the Qur’an and global Islamic culture.

I have experienced many transformative moments in my journey, working in the costume design department of a BAFTA award-winning film, and participating in group shows at the Bomb Factory gallery. Over time, I realised that the skills I had gained would be significantly strengthened by studying with the best lecturers at one of the world’s leading institutions.

My focus and ambitions have since evolved. Beyond running a successful fashion brand, I want my work to be embedded in the cultural landscape of the UK. The RCA has many connections with cultural institutions across the country, which will help me achieve this. While my work initially had a global outlook, the current political climate has encouraged me to pivot towards more local narratives.

I want to create clothing and artistic work that reflects the time and place I live in, work that poses questions for future generations about belonging, identity, and innovation.