How to Make the Most of Your First Year in Fashion School

Written by Maya Avram.

As the cohort of 2023 embark on their fashion education journey, The Glowth Academy collects tips and advice from leading academics and fresh graduates on how to best utilise your time in university and strategise your career.

This article is the first in The Glowth Academy’s advisory series ‘Career Planning’, where we ask professional and academic experts within our network for guidance on career planning and development. Make sure to subscribe to our newsletter to receive top-tier advice in your inbox!

Starting your fashion education journey can feel overwhelming for first year students, who must quickly learn the inner workings of the industry, map out its various functions and their correlation, and establish peer networks.

To navigate it all, it is important to hone your “why”, or your reasoning and motivation for practising your craft. “Work on your pathway, work on your journey and definitely ask questions,” says Ioanna Kefalogianni, senior career service and industry relations specialist at Istituto Marangoni London.

Once you are clear on your goals — or at least your interests — seek out networks and societies where you can learn more about these topics and connect with like-minded creatives. This will not only provide clarity about the subject matter, but can also open doors for you to get industry experience through volunteering or interning opportunities. 

“In fashion, [it’s important to] network. Volunteer at Fashion Week, check if you can do ad-hoc projects with [brands],” says Kefalogianni, adding that “self-promotion helps a lot. So if you're studying social media and marketing, develop a blog. [This way,] you're putting your work out there so that people can notice what you're doing.”

Below are further expert tips and advice to guide you through your time in academia.

Plan Your Professional Pathway

One distinct advantage of attending higher fashion education is its provided framework for emerging talent to explore and experiment within their chosen field. To make the most of the experience, expand your professional knowledge beyond your course curriculum to gauge your desired career pathway.

“Structured education could give you broader knowledge [of the industry] that could help you later on,” says Kefalogianni. “Do your research and figure out what it is that you want and like about the industry to see if it’s realistic for you to follow that [path] or not,” she adds.

Kefalogianni notes that being informed is imperative to making an overarching career plan. “It’s important for you to understand what the outcomes could look like [...] Are you seeing the fluff or are you truly investigating your potential within that field?”

Start by breaking down your course requirements and seeing how they lend themselves to your professional development. This will not only make you stand out among your classmates, but will also allow you to plan your career strategically. 

“It’s very important for first years to understand what their degree programme is about, what the expectations of that programme are and also what the outcomes are going to be,” says Gavin Douglas, senior lecturer and programme leader of BA (Hons) Fashion Design and Technology at Manchester Fashion Institute.

“Have a look at the units. [...] What will be taught in the units? What are the unit requirements? What are they asking [you] to produce at the end? And really understand whether it's something [you] want to do,” he advises.

Make a Statement Through Your Work

Honing your skills, whether vocational like garment production, or theoretical like trend research, is the main priority for students looking to excel in their education. However, today’s highly saturated and competitive job market begs emerging talent to also bear in mind ethical issues like politics, gender identity and sustainability.

“It’s important for students to understand what their values are and how they fit into fashion and society, because that is what really makes a cutting-edge [creative],” says Douglas. “It’s not just about having the skill to design a garment that looks great, but when you pick a garment, think about its impact in all of those different areas — what is its contribution and how does it contribute?”

These considerations can be taxing for budding creatives, who today must be very conscientious in their work. Still, you are not expected to have it all figured out this early in your career. Consider fashion school your playground in which to learn, experiment, err and reinvent yourself, all with expert guidance and resources. Make use of them to discover what you stand for with your practice.

Tap Into Relevant Networks and Societies

Research estimates that between 45%-80% of vacancies are filled through word-of-mouth, rendering peer networks some of the most valuable assets students gain from their education. From extracurricular projects involving industry to exclusive events, these networks offer ample opportunities to connect with people who can support your career later down the line.

“Network, search your student hubs so that you can actually accumulate information and get involved with your industry as much as possible,” says Kefalogianni of Istituto Marangoni London.

Martha Zárate, a recent graduate of Fashion Business Communication and Media at Istituto Marangoni London, suggests opting for “competitions or extracurriculars that are not part of your programme, because you can learn from them what it’s like to work in the industry,” as she recalls a project offered during her tenure where students got to create a marketing campaign for Italian luxury brand The Attico. “Those extra activities at the school give you the opportunity [to network]. Take them and do your best,” she advises.

Such opportunities can be highly competitive, but there are other ways to enrich your experience and add to your portfolio, such as joining student societies. These can embellish your CV, elevate your practice through peer review and make for great professional and personal support systems. 

“It’s about a student really understanding what their own personal values are, their own ethics, how their design fits into the world of fashion,” says Douglas of Manchester Fashion Institute.

Research and Utilise University Resources

University involves processing copious amounts of information about your course and its requirements, your industry — and if you relocated for your studies, your new city or country — all of which require tolerance in addition to intellectual prowess.

“You need to be open-minded and understand that every culture is different,” says Zárate, who moved from Mexico to Canada to the UK to complete her education. “It’s not easy, but [you] can do it if [you] really want to.”

To help you wrap your head around it all, universities have designated departments aimed to help you navigate aspects of student life, from housing to job applications and even mental health. Fashion schools in particular also offer discounted materials and services, equipment borrowing schemes and additional certifications like Adobe Creative Suite.

Ask your course leader and administrator for available resources that can minimise cost as well as allow you to upskill. “Talk to your teachers and ask them everything,” says Zárate, “don't be afraid of asking stupid questions.”

For more advice on planning your career in fashion, read about and register your interest in our Launch Your Career course.

Written by Maya Avram.