Women in Innovation: Purple Plaque Unveiling at London College of Fashion

Women in Innovation: Purple Plaque Unveiling at London College of Fashion
Honouring Dian-Jen Lin and Promoting Female Leadership in Innovation

In a historic celebration of female leadership and entrepreneurship, London College of Fashion (LCF) and the Centre for Sustainable Fashion, in partnership with Innovate UK, are set to unveil a Purple Plaque commemorating Dian-Jen Lin, a trailblazing LCF alumna, from the MA Fashion Futures course, and recipient of Innovate UK’s Women in Innovation Award.
With thousands of blue plaques scattered across the UK, fewer than one in seven honour women—a stark reminder of the historical underrepresentation of female achievements. In contrast, the Purple Plaque initiative aims to shift this narrative by recognizing and celebrating the innovative contributions of women like Lin, who have made significant strides in their respective fields.
Lin’s work in sustainable fashion and her dedication to promoting eco-conscious design have made her a leader in an industry that is not only pushing the boundaries of creativity but also redefining the future of ethical fashion. Her efforts embody the spirit of the Women in Innovation Award, which aims to elevate female entrepreneurs and innovators in the UK.
In collaboration with Innovate UK, LCF and the Centre for Sustainable Fashion are committed to highlighting the crucial role women play in innovation and business. Despite paying equal taxes to men, women receive only 2% of venture capital funding—a disparity that, if corrected, could boost the UK economy by £250 billion, according to The Rose Review. Furthermore, research from the House of Commons shows that companies with more female leaders consistently outperform those led by men, demonstrating the tangible benefits of gender equity in business leadership.
Event Details:
Date: 18th October 2025, 4-6pm
Location: London College of Fashion, 105 Carpenters Road, Stratford, London E20 2AR
Host: London College of Fashion, Centre for Sustainable Fashion, Innovate UK
This event will not only celebrate Lin's accomplishments but also serve as a call to action to increase the visibility and support of women innovators across the UK. By celebrating this achievement, we hope to inspire the next generation of female leaders to continue challenging the status quo, sparking meaningful changes across industries.

Dian-Jen Lin Bio:

As the Co-founder & CEO of Post Carbon Lab, a biotech company offering circular & regenerative microbial colouration & finishing services to textile & polymer supply chains, Dian-Jen Lin is also an advocate for climate positivity and regenerative design.
With more than a decade of professional experience in the design industry and a postgraduate degree in fashion sustainability, she fell in love with biology when she started a collaborative project at the Natural History Museum in London. Her broad skill set with the innate awareness of the symbiosis between humanity and nature has shaped her professional trajectory towards ameliorating the status quo through proactive engagement and silo-breaking collaborations.
Her transdisciplinary career has awarded her with multiple recognitions throughout the years, such as the Kering Award for Sustainable Fashion (2017), the TATA Varsity Pitch & Creative Enterprise Award (2020), The Renaissance Award (2021), Women in Innovation (2023) as well as media features on The Guardian, Financial Times, Forbes and Reuters.

Please see agenda above (subject to change).

Host or Publisher Centre for Sustainable Fashion