Inside The Life Of A Fashion Student.

Photo of fashion student Gemma Breach taken by Jaz Forsyth

If you’re anything like me, you may have assumed that fashion students have it pretty easy. The idea of not having to write tons of essays, and the possibility of getting apprenticeships with some high-end designers really makes me jealous. But for the past year and a half I’ve lived with two different fashion students and they’ve really opened my eyes to how much stress a fashion and textiles course can actually create. So I asked my current flatmate Gemma to talk me through a day in her life.

Most days start the same as any other student. Sleep in a little bit, shove all your stuff for the day in a bag, have a slice of toast and a cup of tea if you have time for it (which you usually don’t) and head off to lectures. Although, of course, the content of the lecture is going to be pretty different from others.

As well as practical work, Gemma explained that they learn about visual culture, and this is the topic that written work tends to be based on. This term, Gemma has submitted a 3000-word essay about human extension, and also has a 2000-word evaluation coming up. So written work is necessary in every course, even if it doesn’t seem like it would be. Also, that’s more written work than some have had to do this whole semester.

After lectures are all done, the fashion students tend to file into either sewing rooms or work rooms to concentrate on their upcoming projects. Here they’ll spend time working on textile prints, sorting fabrics and sewing their pieces together. The sewing room closes around 5 in the evening, so this is when the students head home.

Even though this seems pretty strenuous, this is what Gemma enjoys most about her course. “The best part is being able to create whatever I want, within reason of course”. The students are encouraged to do what they want and embrace their creative sides- which many do. It also gives the opportunity for the students to socialise and bounce ideas off of one another, which obviously can lead to making some good friends along the way.

After spending a fair few hours working at uni, she comes home and relaxes with me and the other girls we live with. We all cook dinner together, chat and unwind after a day of lectures. After messing around and giggling for a few hours, it’s back to work. Gemma will then head to her room, put on some music and carry on with her sewing, or working in her sketchbook.

When I asked about the work given to the students, Gemma said that the stress of having to constantly make new garments is her least favourite part of the course. “Loads of planning and prep goes into making one garment, and the time taken to do it all is a killer!”. Obviously all courses have coursework and essays as part of their degrees, but I’ve never personally met someone who has to spend this much of their time on coursework.

When it comes to a bedtime, Gemma usually doesn’t stop working until around 10 or 11 at night. Then she’ll start getting ready for bed and prepare to do the same again the next day. She said, “I go to bed extremely tired most nights because the workload is just so much, I never expected it when I started the course.”.

I asked more about how she hadn’t expected the amount of work required, and questioned if there was anything else Gemma had not been prepared for on the fashion and textiles course. Her answer: “The workload hands down. I have been warned a billion times before and just shrugged it off. Fashion isn’t just someone sitting there watching runway shows with a fag”- which I think is what we all see when we think of fashion. Some Cruella-De-Vil esque character who’s a little too snobby to be actually likable.

Not only does this course take up an unreal amount of time, but a specific skill set is also necessary. Gemma told me that “time management, a good eye for detail, creativity and a passion for fashion” are all really important to have if you’re going to ace the course. On top of needing certain skills, apparently it’s also helpful to have money to spare.

Whilst academic courses have to spend their loans on a variety of books, fashion and textile students have to buy or thrift fabrics, resources such as needles and thread, and accessories for their projects. So it definitely all adds up.

In short, I learned to leave my misconceptions about certain courses at the door. Everyone struggles with their courses and the experience is so much more enjoyable when we don’t make work a competition. Yes, I understand your 3000-word essay over Christmas may seem unfair, but everyone has their own work. Let’s just help each other.

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