From Classrooms to China: LCF Student’s Journey in Fashion Marketing
- Written byLondon College of Fashion
- Published date 29 July 2025
After completing four internships and a fully funded summer programme at Tsinghua University, Mana, BA (Hons) Fashion Marketing and Consumer Behaviour student says the biggest takeaway has been employability.
Drawn to the course for its mix of marketing strategy, consumer psychology and hands-on industry experience, she's gained practical skills across social media, localisation and data analysis. Read on to hear more about her experience at London College of Fashion so far!
Hi Mana! Can you tell us why you applied for BA (Hons) Fashion Marketing and Consumer Behaviour at London College of Fashion?
When I was choosing a bachelor’s degree, I wanted something that aligned with my interests and offered real depth. A friend of mine was studying a master’s at LCF, which prompted me to look more seriously at the College. I’ve always been curious about the fashion industry and wanted to build stronger connections, work on meaningful projects, and gain skills with a clear career direction.
Marketing was something I had already been exploring independently, so studying it formally felt like a natural step. I also knew that if I wanted to run a business in the future, understanding branding and market analysis would be essential. Consumer behaviour appealed to me because it felt rigorous, analytical, and rooted in cognitive science, exactly the challenge I was looking for. That combination made LCF the right place for me.
Congratulations on securing so many placements whilst on the course, can you tell us a little bit about them?
Throughout my time at LCF, I realised how important it is to build your network and gain experience across different roles. Finding internships took time and patience, but after months of searching, I secured my first one, and then eventually three more.
I completed four internships in total: two in social media marketing, one in marketing localisation, and one focused on data analysis and collection as part of the Fashion Business School’s annual collaboration with IMRG.
By the end of my second year, I learned about a fully funded summer school opportunity at Tsinghua University in China. I applied and was accepted, and the experience was intense but invaluable. Working on a “Design Futures” project, our team developed a prototype and pitch presentation over two 48-hour weeks. Our final idea? A futuristic hazard prevention bunny helmet. It was surreal but unforgettable.
This opportunity only happened because a member of staff shared it with me, and it ended up being transformative. I even convinced a friend to join, and we both came back to London with new skills, confidence, and motivation to do more.
What skills or knowledge did you gain from these experiences?
Each experience taught me more about where my strengths lie and what I still needed to develop. You might assume I’m naturally outgoing but actually, I’m not. There were days I didn’t feel like socialising or introducing myself to new people, and being assigned tasks I had no experience with was stressful.
But it was the “good” kind of stress, the kind that pushes you to grow. These experiences taught me to navigate team dynamics more confidently, communicate clearly, and step into unfamiliar situations with more resilience. I learned that career development isn’t about always being comfortable; it’s about saying yes to opportunities even when they’re slightly terrifying.
How have these experiences expanded your understanding of the fashion industry and influenced your future career plans?
Before coming to LCF, I didn’t know much about fashion beyond liking fabrics and clothes as a form of self-expression. I wasn’t following trends then, and truthfully, I still don’t. But what has changed is the depth of insight I’ve gained through the projects I’ve chosen to explore, neurotechnology, China, visual kei subculture, and more.
If you’re someone who doesn’t keep up with the trend cycle or the Kardashians, don’t panic. Your knowledge doesn’t need to look like anyone else’s. What matters is the expertise you build in the areas that genuinely interest you; that’s what shapes your future direction.
If you could give some advice to future students, what would it be?
Take advantage of every opportunity that comes your way. Attend workshops, try new things, and explore widely, this is your chance to figure out what excites you and what doesn’t.
Knowing what not to pursue is just as valuable as finding your passion. As you move through your course, try to choose projects that connect to one another.
By the time you reach your final year, you’ll start to see a clear sense of direction in your work. That clarity doesn’t appear out of nowhere, you build it through consistent exploration and focus.
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