Bite Autumn 2012

bite real life

areas of the fashion industry. It seemed that most fashion based courses from marketing to branding, covered all areas of the spectrum. Rosie Barnes, Fashion Communication graduate from Northumbria University said, “The Fashion Communications course is fantastic for those who are interested in the fashion industry but who are unsure of what exactly they want to do. It is a really varied course. You get to have a taste of fashion photography, journalism, marketing, branding and all sorts. In your final year, you can go off in whatever angle you want; I decided to do branding.” The most frequent topic of discussion when speaking to the graduates was definitely internships. It became apparent that most of the universities believe industry placements to be essential for graduate employment, with many courses including an obligatory sandwich year in industry. Jasmine Virtue, Fashion Design graduate from the University of Leeds, explained why work experience is just as important as gaining a degree, “You have to do internships not only for industry experience but also to understand what you are going into. Sometimes people do internships and then decide the fashion industry is just not for them.” Chloe Jones, Fashion Design graduate from Bath Spa University and winner of the prestigious Graduate Fashion Week Gold Award, explained how her work experience has been invaluable, “We are incredibly lucky on our course. Our tutors always inform us of opportunities and almost all of us have managed to get internships. I managed to get a placement with Bruce Oldfield.It was amazing just to be in the studio and to work

with the garments. I have actually interned at Temperley London, which was fantastic because I worked in the head office and was involved with supply. It was good to see that side of the industry.” The feedback on graduate support services,

“ You have to do internships not only for industry experience but also to understand what you are going into. Sometimes people do internships and then decide the fashion industry is just not for them.”

both inside and an out-with university was generally positive. Lisa Hill, Fashion Design graduate from the University of Lincoln said, “Without the university I would not have a clue where to start.They have given me so much help and support, especially with finding internships and teaching me how to promote myself. I just finished last week, and I have already started an internship which is paid.” Marine Aves, Colchester University BA Honours Fashion Textiles graduate said,“To be honest, I think it is mostly down to you.There are so many companies such as My Identity helping students at the moment, but if you do not push yourself, you will feel lost. I believe that if you have the determination and passion, you will find a job.” With a strong fashion heritage, London is still considered to be one of the world’s most stylish cities.Worth a staggering 21 billion pounds, the British fashion industry continues to produce fresh fashion talent, despite difficult times. Much of this success is down to the wide range of educational courses on offer up and down the country and, after speaking to graduates from a wide variety of fashion courses, it is easy to see why hopefuls compete from across the globe for places in British fashion colleges. As I walked around the university stands at Graduate Fashion Week I could not help but feel uplifted.Though the figures are stacked against them, it seems today’s fashion graduates will survive the recession with a strong education and supportive organisations like Graduate FashionWeek behind them. http://www.gfw.org.uk/