Cody O’Connor
Profession
BA Fashion Communication: Journalism Alum
College
Central Saint Martins
Person Type
Alumni
Biography
Cody is a journalist and documentary filmmaker who graduated from BA (Hons) Fashion Communication: Journalism at Central Saint Martins in 2024.
Interview
Why did you choose to study your course at Central Saint Martins (CSM)?
I chose to study BA Fashion Communication: Journalism because I was intrigued by what the course had to offer. I took a year out of study after completely my A-Levels, and at the time I was feeling unsure about my next steps. I had never considered that fashion communication was an option. I was not aware of the more creative career routes and had not realised this was something I could pursue.
As I learnt more about the degree, I felt so excited about what I would be able to create. I grew up going to exhibitions at community art spaces, and I had always loved clothes (particularly dressing up), but I never considered that I could study a creative subject.
I was amazed by the previous students work and fascinated by the idea that I could create my own publication during the course and that I would have the opportunity to experiment with different mediums, such as making a website or an online platform.
What have you been working on since graduating?
Since graduating I’ve worked in a variety of roles. I believe studying Fashion Journalism helped me to develop a dynamic skillset that has made me adaptable and suitable for working in a range of environments.
First, I worked at Holiday Club Studios which is a talent incubator for young people based in Lambeth who are seeking careers in the creative industries. I had the opportunity to interview Samuel Ross MBE for a short film, organised careers talks with Boiler Room and conducted research about internship culture in the UK.
During my placement year, I learnt about putting on events while interning at Sarabande: The Alexander McQueen Foundation, this later helped me to acquire a role at Live Nation in the Production and Licensing department for festivals. I worked across the UK at live events including Reading and Leeds Festival and Crystal Palace Park events.
Recently, I’ve returned to UAL to work, which has been great to come back! I started as a Marketing Content Assistant for UAL short courses and I am now currently an Academic Liaison Officer supporting the fashion programme with an exciting new event.
What was the most interesting project you worked on during your time on the course?
The most interesting project I worked on was my Final Major Project. I created a short film called Why Buy? Is Social Media Making us Shop More?, which was inspired by my experience of being bombarded with adverts online. I knew I wanted to create work that explored overconsumption in fashion and that I wanted to make a documentary. I had watched films about the climate crisis that left me feeling uninspired about the future and I wanted to create a piece of work that felt solutions oriented and that highlighted the positivity of communities who are fighting for change within sustainability.
I won the H&M Sustainable Fashion & Journalism Award in my final year, which helped me to fund the production of my short film. After graduating, Why Buy? was screened at Dover Street Market at ASVOFF17, which I was lucky enough to attend in Paris – such a pinch me moment!
The project was also shortlisted for the Maison/0 Green Trail Award and featured in a curated graduate showcase where it was then picked up by Body Talk Zine who published a feature on the film in their print zine which is stocked in magCulture, a magazine shop I had attended and admired during my course.
The opportunities that I have had access to throughout my course have been fantastic and is something I will always be grateful for. If I had not been studying in the CSM’s environment I would not have connected with these opportunities. The option to create films on the course helped me discover my passion for filmmaking. I had never considered making a documentary, but in second year we had an investigative project which was where I fell in love with the process – I find shooting, finding people to interview and editing the final version so exciting. I also learnt how to promote my work and write for different audiences.
What important piece of advice would you give to students thinking of studying this course?
Be confident in your ideas! You have your own unique perspective based on your life experience and upbringing and it’s great to spotlight that in your work. Being vulnerable in an article or in a film and speaking about issues that are close to your heart is a strength, and people can tell when you really care about what you are doing.
My second piece of advice would be not to worry about what other people think of you, or to be less concerned with how you are being perceived. There is no prescribed or ideal version of a Central Saint Martins student – it can literally look like and be anyone! Individuality and putting yourself out there is a strength in the world and at CSM! You don’t have to write about or be interested in the same designers or cultural topics as other students. The course has a lot of flexibility and is taught by amazing and supportive tutors who encourage you to cater your work to your interests, curiosity and career aspirations.
What was the highlight of your Central Saint Martins experience?
The people I met – I made so many amazing friends during my time at CSM and connected with so many insanely talented people! It truly is a whirlwind and an honour to study there. Being in the building you never know who you will meet and I found it great to connect with students from different courses.
What is the most important thing you learnt on the course?
That you need to find an angle in journalism – what is current and happening now and what does it say about society? How can you contribute a unique perspective on this? I also learnt to put yourself out there, promote your work and don’t be afraid to reach out to experts to learn about a subject. You never know who will be willing to help you with your work and I try to maintain that ambition in my career. I also learnt how to be confident in my ideas and work, and how to articulate concepts and give presentations which is an invaluable skill in my opinion.
Links
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