MA Global Fashion Retailing at London College of Fashion bridges creativity and management, preparing students for the fast-changing, global fashion industry. With strong industry links, hands-on projects, and a focus on international markets and emerging trends, graduates leave ready to pursue careers at top fashion companies worldwide.
Meet Julia Zha from Hangzhou, China. In a recent interview, she shares why she chose the course, the opportunities she’s experienced, and her insights on studying and living in London.
Why did you apply for MA Global Fashion Retailing, and what attracted you to studying at London College of Fashion?
I applied for the MA Global Fashion Retailing because my undergraduate background is in International Trade, and I am particularly interested in global fashion markets, consumer behaviour, omnichannel retailing, and retail strategy.
London College of Fashion has an excellent reputation in China, which strongly attracted me to pursue my studies here. In fact, it is not only my dream school but also my son’s. His encouragement motivated me to overcome many challenges and put in significant effort to achieve this goal.
Can you tell us about any industry projects you have completed as part of the course?
As part of my course, I worked on a team project analysing the market positioning and retail strategy of Mulberry. I was responsible for conducting macroeconomic analysis and contributed to presenting our findings.
This experience deepened my understanding of the fashion industry and strengthened my teamwork and communication skills. It also highlighted the importance of collaboration, showing me that strong teamwork is essential to achieving successful outcomes.
How has studying MA Global Fashion Retailing expanded your understanding of the fashion industry and influenced your future career plans?
Studying this programme has significantly expanded my understanding of the fashion industry. I have been exposed to advanced technologies such as Digital Product Passport (DPP), 3D, VR, and AI, which are transforming the way fashion brands operate and engage with consumers.
These insights have encouraged me to rethink my future career path, particularly in relation to sustainability, the evolving role of physical stores, and how retail staff can add value in an increasingly digital environment.
Why would you recommend this course to future students?
This course offers a strong balance between theory and practice. It covers key concepts alongside case studies, business reports, and financial analysis, making the learning highly relevant to the current fashion industry.
The lecturers are professional and bring valuable industry experience, while guest speakers from different areas of the fashion industry provide insightful perspectives on current trends. In addition, a variety of class activities not only enrich our study life but also provide a good opportunity for us to get to know each other. Overall, it has been a very rewarding learning experience for me.
As a Fashion Business School student, what employability opportunities have you had access to?
As part of the Fashion Business School, I have had access to a wide range of employability opportunities. In particular, LCF Graduate Futures has been incredibly valuable, offering a variety of career events, workshops, and networking opportunities for both current students and alumni. Through these resources, I was able to secure an interview with the Inditex Group, which was a great experience in understanding the recruitment process in the fashion industry.
Additionally, I worked as a Fashion Business School Student Ambassador through UAL Arts Temps. This role provided flexible job opportunities and enabled me to develop practical work experience alongside my studies.
How does studying and living in London support your studies?
Studying and living in London supports my studies in many ways. For me, London is an amazing city, offering access to a wide range of museums, galleries, exhibitions, and shops. These resources enrich my learning experience by allowing me to explore fashion, art, and culture beyond the classroom and gain real-world inspiration for my studies.
I also live in UAL student accommodation close to the LCF campus, which helps me save time on commuting while providing a safe and convenient living environment.