September 2022

Reflecting on the previous academic year over summer enabled me to gain a creative and insightful exploration into my working methods. My second-year experience had a significant positive impact on my overall attitude to my studies boosting not only confidence in myself but also my work. Working with brands such as Aspinal of London and FaceGym allowed for me to achieve vital experience within the industry and opened my mind up to new potential career prospects. Placing second in the Aspinal of London Marketing Strategy assignment, aided in developing my presentation skills and solidified self-assurance in the work I produce. Traveling to London to their Flagship store let me gain an insight into how a successful brand markets themselves on a demanding luxury brand location such as Regent Street and increase my experience within the business. Creating a product prototype for FaceGym made me take to my work in an imaginative way looking into how brand create innovative merchandise that is easily marketable to the consumer. These vital industry experiences really enabled me to personally develop my fashion marketing skills whilst simultaneously allowing me to learn from my mistakes along the way and adapt to new high-pressure environments at the same time as learning the core components of a luxury brands foundation.

Over summer, I was tasked with creating a presentation of research on a key macro trend that intrigued me in the modern world. Selecting the macro trend of the digital takeover in the fashion industry, I heavily researched trends and events that were monumental in the digital advancement in marketing. This research project enabled me to constantly utilise my exploration techniques as well as learning new important marketing methods to delve into the new technological world of fashion. In order to achieve this task to a high level it was important I developed my self-critical skills and ensured time keeping was the main aspect of my work plan. Although I planned out my workload in advance, I did find it difficult at times to stick to the agenda due to spontaneous plans that occurred over the summer holidays as well as working full time. It was fundamental to me that I put in enough research into this project as I knew it would become the baseline of my work for Stage One.

Starting Third year my main goals and aspirations were to focus on achieving the best grade that I possibly could whilst also developing my independent work, due to this being the first year where no group assessments were being set. Throughout First and Second year I believe that I managed to utilise the team assignments in order to gain important team working skills as well as leadership and communication techniques. I understand that these skills will become a key part in my future career as they will play centre role in team building exercises, group work and business meetings. I was nervous to start Third Year due to most my teaching being through an online approach due to Covid-19 but also was excited to start the final journey of my Fashion Marketing and Branding study.