S2EP.02: The truth about Fashion Schools ft. Ella Douglas

Ella Douglas, a graduate of Central Saint Martin's, discusses her experience at the renowned fashion school. In this episode, we follow Ella’s inspiring journey from community college to securing a spot in the prestigious fashion design with marketing program at St. Martin’s. She shares the ups and downs of navigating the intense workload and the relentless pressure of projects, highlighting the crucial role of self-promotion and networking in the fashion industry. While attending St. Martin’s opens doors to unique opportunities and valuable connections, Ella underscores that success isn’t guaranteed—talent and skills can flourish at other fashion schools too.

Ella recounts the rigorous selection process for Central St. Martin’s final bachelor’s degree show, where only a third of students were chosen to present their work. Her bittersweet experience of being selected came with feelings of guilt for her peers who didn’t make the cut. She delves into the competitive atmosphere of the university and the challenge of forming genuine friendships amidst the pressure. With a faculty drawn from top fashion houses and their own brands, the diverse perspectives were a double-edged sword: enriching yet intimidating.

Emphasizing the importance of kindness in the fashion industry, Ella encourages students to experiment and consider launching their own brands. She points out that while fashion school offers a network and tools for reaching career goals, individual effort and persistence determine ultimate success. The reality remains that not everyone secures a job in fashion after graduation, especially in areas like marketing, communications, and PR where a degree isn’t always required.

Ella stresses the financial burden of fashion school, which varies widely by country, and advises students to intern during their studies to build connections and gain hands-on experience. She notes the importance of business and marketing knowledge—skills often overlooked in fashion curricula—and highlights the necessity of researching brands, trends, and markets. Leveraging social media is another key strategy for staying informed and creating opportunities. Ultimately, Ella’s story serves as both a cautionary tale and an encouraging push for students to be proactive and resilient in their pursuit of a fashion career.

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