The Fashion Design and Technology course stood out to me because of its focus on innovative fashion technologies, industry software and specialist equipment such as thermal mannequins and cold chambers. The course offers a supportive environment including regular personalised feedback from tutors.
I chose Loughborough University for my Fashion Design and Technology degree because I was attracted to the convenience of campus life, which offers a wide range of societies, on-site shops, dedicated study spaces and excellent facilities that support both the arts and sport. Loughborough has an amazing culture, with a supportive, close-knit community that enhances both academic focus and the overall student experience. In addition, Loughborough’s central location makes it easy to travel and explore nearby towns and cities.
Being an international student, one of my biggest challenges was homesickness and adjusting to cultural differences. To manage this, I kept myself busy, immersing myself in University life and seeking out new opportunities. Cultural differences were relatively easy for me to adapt to, as I am half British and already had some exposure to British culture at home. Most of the adjustment involved getting used to different social interactions to better connect with other students. I was also fortunate to find a great group of friends, who were not only welcoming but also open-minded and curious about my background and they embraced activities and foods I introduced to them. In addition, academic staff were supportive and approachable as I settled into my new environment in first year, and have remained so throughout during meetings and catch-ups. I never felt any difference in treatment or expectations compared to my peers.
I was keen to pursue a career in the fashion industry but I appreciate it can be highly competitive, so I wanted a course that combined practical skills development with real-world experience. Loughborough offers this through its course content and the opportunity to undertake an industry placement. Prior to my placement, I received strong support in developing my portfolio, along with guidance on applications and CVs from tutors, which helped me secure placements at Varley Clothing as an Activewear Design Intern and Victoria Beckham Ltd as a Product Development Intern.
These two placement experiences have given me a clearer understanding of how different disciplines within the industry work together, as well as how workplaces operate and communicate and how to adapt accordingly. They have also highlighted the importance of technical processes in bringing creative concepts to life and have strengthened my technical skills in a professional context, which will benefit my final year of study and future career.
My placement responsibilities in Victoria Beckham Ltd included assisting with technical packs, supporting communication between factories and ateliers, liaising with suppliers during production and managing colour matching across seasonal collections for fashion shows. This role allowed me to apply my academic knowledge in a professional setting and strengthened my skills in Adobe Creative Suite and Microsoft Office. I also gained a clearer understanding of how software is used in professional environments to streamline processes. My second placement at Varley Clothing gave me fantastic insight in new and emerging technologies including incorporating AI in design and development processes, delving deeper into short cuts and mastering Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop, as well as using communication platform technologies to send design packs to suppliers. I gained a wider view of designing for specific brand aesthetics whilst keeping function and new aesthetic trends in mind.
One of my placement highlights was feeling genuinely valued by my teams, which helped me build confidence in asking questions and forming professional relationships. I was also trusted with contacting external suppliers in Victoria Beckham Ltd to source and develop trims, which strengthened my understanding of supplier management and the balance between budget, timelines and design integrity. At Varley Clothing, I was given a lot of autonomy in design direction and was trusted with developing our print collection and mini activewear collection. This allowed me to develop my creative research as well as understand the design processes of the brand itself. Also, during my placement experiences, I developed my communication, teamwork and time management skills, enabling me to collaborate effectively with different stakeholders, whilst meeting deadlines and maintaining a balanced routine.
Ultimately, I am eager to further develop both my creative and technical skills and work as a designer within a function-led fashion brand that combines technical innovation, aesthetics and functionality.
My advice to anyone considering undertaking a placement is to prepare thoroughly for interviews, as this helps you confidently express your passion for the role and builds overall confidence. It is also important to invest time in developing your portfolio through seeking feedback and by continually refining your work to ensure it reflects your full potential.
Ani will graduate from Loughborough University in 2027.