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 at 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.
Prior to my placement, I received strong portfolio development support, along with guidance on applications and CVs from tutors. 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.