LCF Grad Futures: Inside Karla Otto

This session is only for London College of Fashion students and graduates. It is aligned to your Graduate Futures careers and employability journey.

Karla Otto is a renowned public relations and communications agency with offices across 15 locations in the UK, EMEA, US and Asia. Established in 1982 by Karla Otto herself, the agency has since grown to become a global leader in luxury brand PR and events.

Built on the founder’s pioneering spirit, discerning eye and intuition, the global team is dedicated to delivering work that expertly combines detail and local precision with large-scale impact and is the agency behind the strategy, creative, talent, experiences and communication of some remarkable brands.

Blending the best of fashion, beauty, design, lifestyle, and arts & culture, we offer a panoramic view of opportunities and the ability to execute complex ideas. Our loyal network and unrivalled approach to culture and community enables us to take brands to brave new territories.

During this webinar you’ll hear from Karla Otto’s Global HR Director and Senior HR Manager as you learn more about the agency’s brand portfolio, commitment to excellence and their overall recruitment process when sourcing talent for their global teams.

Speakers

• Melanie Mitchell, Graduate Futures Careers Consultant: Leveraging over 30 years of experience as a Buyer, Headhunter and now Consultant, Melanie has worked with a number of brands including Christian Louboutin, Vivienne Westwood, AllSaints, Threads Styling and Sweaty Betty on projects relating to talent acquisition and executive search. Passionate about helping to build both brands and careers through putting the right people, in the right place at the right time she continues to use her industry expertise to coach and inspire the next generation looking to pursue careers in fashion.
• Lily Stephens-Benjamin, Senior HR Manager: Lily is an experienced HR professional with a strong background of working across a variety of industries. Fully qualified and accredited with CIPD Level 5 and Level 7, Lily is a strategic partner to the business with expertise in recruitment, performance management, employee relations, learning and development, and new starter management. At Karla Otto, Lily partners closely with UK leadership and management teams on people strategy, workforce planning, and employee relations. She drives performance by developing talent, championing diversity and inclusion, and cultivating an inclusive culture where people and the business can thrive, ultimately supporting long-term growth and organisational success
• Andrew Olim, Global HR Director: Andrew is a highly accomplished HR leader with experience spanning the creative industries, including beauty, music, and fashion. Fully qualified and accredited with CIPD Level 7, Andrew acts as a strategic partner to the global senior leadership team, driving people strategy, organisational development, and initiatives that support both business growth and an inclusive workplace culture. He has extensive experience leading organisations through change — from large-scale restructures to implementing global people initiatives. With an international background, Andrew is skilled at managing across cultures and delivering performance in diverse, complex markets. He is equally passionate about developing talent and fostering diverse, inclusive environments where people and businesses can thrive.

Useful resources

In this webinar, you will develop the key skills of enterprise, connectivity, proactivity and curiosity as defined by the UAL Creative Attributes Framework (My_CAF). Before attending this activity, we suggest you:

• Check out the Graduate Futures Moodle page, (or for alumni the Graduate Futures Leavers Pack), which is filled with resources, learning guides, and podcasts.
• Students should explore the Graduate Futures Careers Padlet, which is filled with useful links, videos, and further reading.

If there are any barriers to your participation in this event or you have access requirements you wish to discuss, please contact graduate.futures@fashion.arts.ac.uk in advance, we'd be happy to talk with you. If you can't sign-up as the tickets have run out or expired, please email and see if you are still able to attend.

Image credit: LCF Careers Fair 2025 with LCF Graduate Futures, UAL | Photography by Paul Cochrane