This year, I have been lucky enough to secure my dream of a job in fashion and gain a foothold on the fashion industry ladder with the help of George at Asda. I have always known that I wanted to work in the fashion industry and following Graduate Fashion Week 2012 I was hand-picked to turn my university designs into an exclusive high street collection as part of the retailer's new and exclusive G21 Talent line.
From an early age I decided I wanted to work in the fashion industry. I studied Fashion Design at the University of Central Lancashire and showcased my final collection at Graduate Fashion Week 2012. Taking part in the event was an incredible experience - I had to pinch myself when I first saw my designs on the catwalk, especially as they were being judged by some of the biggest names in fashion.
Global fashion icon Lady Gaga spotted my designs at GFW and requested two pieces as part of her world tour wardrobe. I remember sitting at my computer, bouncing around whilst trying to reply in a calm and professional way, I couldn't believe it. It was an incredible feeling to be recognised by a trend-setting superstar and I never dreamt that I would have come this far in just a year.
Translating my GFW catwalk designs into a collection for the masses was a great learning experience. It was interesting to learn new techniques and about the factors involved with designing for a high street brand. I worked closely with the 70-strong team of designers at George and was mentored through the process, which provided invaluable experience. I have since been offered my dream job as Assistant Designer at George for its G21 brand, aimed at fashionable young women.
Graduate Fashion Week and George at Asda have acted as a springboard for my career in fashion. The design team at George spotted my designs and invited me and five other graduates to work at George for a six-week paid placement to translate our catwalk creations into a brand new range to be sold in store labelled G21 Talent.
I consider myself extremely lucky to have landed such a coveted position in my first year since graduating. Breaking into the notoriously difficult to get into fashion industry would have been far harder without the opportunities provided to me by George at Graduate Fashion Week.
In an increasingly difficult job market I think its fantastic that a big industry name is focused on supporting young talent like myself and is continuing to do so by sponsoring the event again this year. The new G21 Talent range is a fantastic platform for five new graduates each year. It'll allow them to showcase their own designs across the UK and Europe and give them that notoriously difficult kick-start in the industry.
I'm living my fashion dream right now and my designs are available at the moment as part of the G21 Talent range in selected stores and on George.com. I'm so excited to think that girls up and down the country will be wearing my designs - but this is just the beginning so watch this space!