1st lesson free
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Leo
- Rate $49
- Response 5h
-
Students1
Number of students Leo has taught since their arrival at Superprof
Number of students Leo has taught since their arrival at Superprof
$49/h
Contact
1st lesson free
- Fashion Design
British Vogue Featured Central Saint Martins Graduate Teaches Fashion Design Portfolio Preparation Online For Top-Tier Pre-Foundation And BA University Admissions
- Fashion Design
Lesson location
Recommended
Leo is a respected tutor in our community. They have been highly recommended for their commitment and the quality of their lessons — an excellent choice to progress with confidence.
About Leo
Welcome to a dedicated mentoring space designed to take your creative vision and transform it into a highly successful portfolio for the world’s leading art and design universities. Gaining entry into top-tier institutions like Central Saint Martins (CSM) or other University of the Arts London (UAL) colleges requires more than just raw talent—it requires a precise understanding of how elite admissions panels evaluate work.
As a Central Saint Martins graduate with a 2:1 BA (Honours) in Fashion Design (Womenswear), I have navigated this high-stakes process firsthand. My own graduate collection was shortlisted for the prestigious 2024 CSM Final Fashion Show and featured globally in the December 2023 issue of British Vogue. This deep, insider knowledge of elite institutional standards forms the absolute foundation of my mentorship, allowing me to help you decode the "hidden curriculum" of competitive art school admissions.
Beyond my personal design credentials, I am a trained Art & Design educator with a rigorous background in academic pedagogy. Having managed creative workflows and design development for over 1,600 students across UK secondary schools—including Carlton Bolling and Belle Vue Girls' Academy and The Steven Longfellow Academy—I bring a level of professionalism, organisation, and curriculum expertise that is rare in this field. I combine this classroom experience with a Level 5 TEFL Diploma and specialised certifications in neurodiverse instruction, ensuring that my communication is always clear, highly effective, and tailored to your specific learning style.
Portfolio preparation can feel overwhelming, but my methodology is built on structured, calm, and reliable visual scaffolding designed to eliminate creative blocks and build tangible confidence. Whether you are preparing for a Pre-Foundation, Foundation, or BA (Hons) design track, you will receive clear, criteria-driven feedback and expert technical guidance. Together, we will build an undeniable, production-ready portfolio that stands out to selectors and secures your place at your dream institution.
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About the lesson
- All Levels
- English
All languages in which the lesson is available :
English
About Me & Qualifications
I am a Central Saint Martins graduate with a 2:1 BA (Honours) in Fashion Design (Womenswear). My own graduate work was shortlisted for the competitive 2024 CSM Final Fashion Show and featured in the December 2023 issue of British Vogue.
Alongside my industry background, I am a trained Art & Design educator with extensive classroom experience in UK secondary schools, including Carlton Bolling, Belle Vue Girls' Academy, The Steven Longfellow Academy and BBG Academy. I also hold a PGCE Certificate, Level 5 TEFL Diploma and specialised certifications in supporting neurodiverse learners, including those with ADHD, dyslexia, and dyscalculia.
Who These Lessons Are For
* Target Audience: Highly motivated, ambitious students (typically ages 13 to 18+) aiming for entry into competitive art institutions.
* Academic Level: I specialise in portfolio preparation for Pre-Foundation, Foundation, and BA (Hons) design tracks at Central Saint Martins (CSM) and other top-tier University of the Arts London (UAL) colleges.
* Focus: This is not a casual arts-and-crafts hobby class. These sessions are engineered specifically for applicants who want to understand exactly what elite admissions panels look for and build a highly competitive portfolio.
Teaching Style & Methodology
I break down abstract creative ideas into clear, practical execution. My approach focuses on three core pillars:
* From Concept to 3D Reality: I teach you how to translate flat 2D illustrations into physically viable garments. We look at textile behaviour, drape, and proportion using tools like Nomad Sculpt alongside traditional physical draping techniques to catch design errors early.
* Structured Project Development: We organise the creative process into manageable steps. Together, we map out your research journals, design development, final fashion illustrations, and textile choices so your portfolio tells a cohesive story that hits top assessment standards.
* Neurodiversity-Friendly Support: Drawing from my experience teaching in alternative provision environments, I use a calm, highly structured pace with clear project checkpoints. This helps students with ADHD or dyslexia organise their ideas, stay on track, and build confidence without feeling overwhelmed.
Lesson Format & Length
* Duration: Sessions are structured as 60- to 90-minute blocks.
* Structure: This timeline ensures we have ample time for detailed portfolio reviews, live construction critiques, and step-by-step design adjustments.
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Recommendations
Recommendations come from relatives, friends and acquaintances of the teacher
2
Leo Bursey represents the gold standard of contemporary design mentorship. Being shortlisted for the CSM Final Fashion Show and featured in British Vogue is proof enough of his personal design talent, but his true skill lies in his capacity to mentor others. He holds his students to professional standards while giving them the scaffolding needed to reach those heights. I endorse him without reservation for any serious fashion applicant.
1000% recommend Leo! I was stuck in a total creative rut with my research journals and didn't know how to turn my flat sketches into actual garments. Leo completely shifted my perspective in our very first session. He broke down the whole CSM portfolio process into super clear steps and helped me organize my project development so it looked professional. I just got my acceptance letter to my dream BA course and I honestly couldn't have done it without his sessions!
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Rates
Rate
- $49
Pack rates
- 5h: $245
- 10h: $490
free lessons
This first lesson offered with Leo will allow you to get to know each other and clearly specify your needs for your next lessons.
- 1hr
online
- $49/h
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