Next up in the Industry Partner Awards 2015 is the Diploma in Professional Studies Award, where we recognise the industry partners who have offered LCF students from design and development courses, as well as a number of business and accessories courses, the opportunity to undertake work experience placements and gain insight into how the fashion industry works.
This year’s winner is Wolverine who market a number of well established footwear, clothing and accessories brands. BSc (Hons) Fashion Management graduate Yasmin Cockram was offered a full time position at the company after her placement year there.
Here’s what other students had to say about their experience at Wolverine:
“I learnt so much from a year in the industry and I now feel ready to apply what I have learnt to my final year. I was given more responsibility then I ever thought I would be given as an intern. I was given the chance to work with so many accomplished people in the industry, as well as many people from other fashion companies. The placement was also a great networking opportunity.” – Hannah Freeman-Hoare, Marketing Co-ordinator, placement year student from BSc (Hons) Fashion Management.
“The things I enjoyed most about my placement include: the people that I worked with – really good team to work alongside, the skills that I learnt, the fact that I had a full on position within the team – it has prepared me for the later jobs, and finally, it provided me with confidence for my fourth year.” – Jess Tempest, MSc Strategic Fashion Management.
Highly commended in the Diploma in Professional Studies Award were Dune Group, Neals Yards Remedies, Mulberry, Miss Selfridge and GGHQ who also offer great opportunities to LCF students.
Dr. Andrea Mitarotonda from Neals Yards Remedies said:
I think having students is a win-win type of scenario: we, the industry, have so much to gain from offering placements, not only in terms of young minds joining our teams but also in terms of keeping an eye on potential candidates for future job opportunities. I also find that having students offers a positive challenge for their supervisor: they come in with fresh minds and views on things that we may be taking for granted. By explaining things to students you have to challenge the status-quo of your own knowledge – and sometimes you have to go back to the books to refresh your mind on concepts that you may have not seen for years! “
We asked Gill Gledhill, Director at GGHQ what they look for in students and she said:
Enthusiasm. Simply put, I want positive energy and a can-do approach to tackling problems. Placements here at GGHQ Fashion Intelligence Ltd offer a great deal in terms of professional and personal development opportunities – such as residential French courses, working at shows overseas, and self-directed work projects – so I’m looking for someone with an eagerness to learn and develop. I also encourage people to participate fully in all aspects of our work, so a willingness to roll up your sleeves and get stuck in to whatever is going on – from repotting plants to reporting on overseas shows – is essential as we’re all in it together. We work with a lot of data – so clarity of thought, attention to detail, creative thinking and a completer-finisher mentality are needed. Customer service is also a requisite, and retail or catering experience is good training for this. And an upbeat, jolly personality – working at exhibitions can mean long days and sometimes evenings where business and socialising cross over – our aim is to do a really good job and have fun doing it!
Stay tuned for more Industry Partner Award 2015 winner announcements.
More:
- Read about other Industry Partner Awards winners
- Find out more about LCF Careers
- Check out LCF Careers Live
- Read about Inside the Industry