The amazing opportunities I’ve been given as a Fashion Marketing & Promotion student

I didn’t think it would be possible to experience the glamour and fast-paced chaos of the fashion world so early in the first year of my degree course, but that’s what happened just six weeks after I started.

From travelling to London and gaining first-hand knowledge of the lavish ways of fashion design, photography, and other elements of the fashion sector, to entering the halls of Pall Mall with curiosity and motivation to help produce African Fashion Week with integrity and style, awed and inspired are two words that don’t begin to articulate the vast sea of opportunities that I’ve already been given by studying at UON. For anyone interested in such privilege, Fashion Marketing & Promotion BA (Hons) at Northampton is the course for you.

What an opportunity – I can’t begin to describe the world this course provides a doorway into. Typically, fashion design, production, and promotion are areas in which hands are not often reached out, especially for first-year students like me who are still working out which path to follow. While both marketing and promotion are available as individual pathways to take on this course after the second year, it’s not limited to this, as there are numerous stems of business covered within each module. When the opportunity of going to London to help as a backstage dresser in a fashion show came up, I grasped it with both hands. I have no regrets, despite the chaos and challenges that it entailed – I’m much wiser for it and here’s why:

The coach left at 7am, so it was an early start, but we were well looked after by the University and I owe the course leaders so much for this experience and the knowledge I gained from it. I’ve never previously been to London and for those who also may never have seen the busy energy of Trafalgar Square, or the eye-widening architecture of Pall Mall, there are no words to describe it. My first view of the location was having a very well-dressed man open a door into a hall of chandeliers and framed historical artwork – this set the tone for the rest of the job and wasn’t my only glimpse into the life of London’s elite.

We were escorted into a room lined with rail after rail of extraordinary clothing and colourful patterns. I must particularly pay tribute to the collection by Precious Lulu designs, of which the statement item was an extravagant green feather piece accompanied by a beaded choker. I had the privilege of dressing my model in this with the help of the designer herself – her attention to detail was astounding. One of the challenges we were faced with was that I had a dress which wasn’t altered correctly to fit the model I was dressing. I quickly found the dress designer and helped her use body tape and sewing equipment to adjust the dress for the show. While the environment was fast-paced and tiring, the reward of being able to watch elements of the show, as well as being credited by the production for our part in tasks such as steaming garments and assisting with quick changes, made the day entirely worth it.

The venue had many workshops and stores showcasing African fashion, culture, design, and care, as well having food at the event which paid homage to the rich and bright heritage. Traditional music accompanied the catwalk, and every member of the production team was knowledgeable and kind. It’s difficult to put into words how much we were embraced into the back rooms of fashion show production, but it was truly a proud moment. In our group we were treated like everyone else working the show and were able to take on responsibilities and gain our own understandings of the production of the show, often contributing helpful and invaluable insights from the perspective of fashion students.

After receiving great praise, producing a fantastic show, and exploring the venue and everything that African Fashion Week had to offer, we said our goodbyes and returned to the University. Although the experience is over, I’m left with a new confidence in dressing, as well as within my social media skills and professional interactions. I’m also in no doubt that the sector of fashion that I’d eventually like to go into would be more associated with fashion show production or fashion journalism.

Maisie Kate Hunt

Maisie is a first-year student on the Fashion Marketing & Promotion BA (Hons) course at the University of Northampton