Fashion students off to flying start

FASHION students Emily Craven and Elena King are starting their careers in style after being snapped up by Abercrombie and Fitch – before they have even graduated.

The final year students will be leaving Oxford Road for Ohio to start work at the famous American lifestyle brand once they have finished their studies.

Both students designed collections for the fashion house, who gave a live brief to selected UK universities, as part of their final year projects.

Emily took her inspiration for her teen collection for sister brand Hollister from lifeguard culture and Elena based her menswear collection on the image of the ‘Abercrombie couple’.

Impressed

The company was so impressed with the School of Art students’ work that they were flown out to Ohio in February for interview.

After a four-day selection process at the top secret Abercrombie ‘campus’, both students were offered a two-year contract as assistant designers at the company.

Elena, 22, said: “I remember when I went to speak to Jo Jenkinson, Head of Fashion, about the project, I thought it sounded like a great opportunity but I never thought I’d get it.

“It’ll be brilliant to work in another country, I’ve always wanted to travel around the world.”

Amazing opportunity

Emily, also 22, added: “I’ve always wanted to work abroad, this is a really amazing opportunity with lots of chance for progression within the organisation.

“I never wanted my own brand, I always wanted to work my way up within a large company so this is the perfect opportunity for me.

“The campus is huge, and everyone was so friendly. I am really looking forward to it.”

Emily and Elena can now concentrate on finishing their final year collections in time for Graduate Fashion Week without having to worry about applying for jobs or internships.

Incredible achievement

Head of Fashion Jo Jenkinson commented: “It is an incredible achievement for Emily and Elena to have an offer of employment at such a prestigious company before they have even finished their education.”

Elena added: “The security is the best thing, knowing that I have something set up for when I graduate and I don’t have to worry.”

Head of Design Joe McCullagh also congratulated Emily and Elena: “This is great news, to have two students from our school in such a prestigious design team is a great achievement and shows the strength and diversity of our course.

“Best wishes to the students for their exciting future and big thanks to all staff who helped to make this happen.”