INTERVIEW WITH A DEGREE STUDENT: ALICIA

We're proud of the amazing accomplishments our students and graduates achieve, both during their time at the Fashion Retail Academy and after their graduation. 

Alicia, who has completed her Level 3 Fashion Retail and is currently studying BA (Hons) Buying & Merchandising, tells us about about her experience at the FRA.

I started at the Fashion Retail Academy in 2021 doing Level 3 Fashion Retail. In school I struggled to find something I was really passionate about, until I found the FRA. I had so many great opportunities during the level 3 course like industry placements, inspirational trips and working with brands like Skinnydip.

My 3 week work placement with the buying team at New Look was so insightful and helped with making great network connections that I am still in contact with today.

After finishing my Level 3, I decided to stay for another 2 years doing the BA (Hons) Buying & Merchandising degree, which was such a good decision. From the start, it's easy to make friends and get on with your tutors. All the tutors have such amazing industry connections, so make sure to take full advantage of that.

On the degree course, you are also given the opportunity to have an industry mentor. Mine is a womenswear buyer for Ralph Lauren, so great for inspiration and help in my projects, as well as help with CVs etc.

I'm currently in my first year and alongside working for Mulberry, so it's enabled me to learn many skills and industry knowledge that'll help me in the future. I can say coming to the FRA has been one of the best decisions for myself as it'll become so much easier within the fashion industry.

Studying at the Fashion Retail Academy has already unlocked so many opportunities and I'm not even finished here yet!