BA Honours Fashion Design student, Lauren Riley, worked with global fashion brand, Urban Outfitters during her placement year, as well as volunteering at London Fashion Week. Lauren is now completing her final year with plans to start her own brand after graduating.

“I chose to study my course at Sheffield Hallam as I really loved the feel of the Head Post Office building where the art and design department are based when I visited the open day. I loved how open it was and that I was able to see previous students’ work, which really inspired me.

“The thing I enjoy most about my course is the one-to-one support I am able to get from tutors and technicians. Despite having a lot of contact with tutors, I also have the freedom to express myself and my design style with complete support. I think there's a good balance between the two.

“I have access to everything I need for garment construction such as industrial sewing machines, embroidery machines and heat presses. We also have access to printing facilities such as screen printing in the graphic design department.

Lauren spent her placement year at Urban Outfitters on the menswear design team where she worked on several seasons, designs, garments and graphic prints for the brand. She was involved with briefing new designs to international suppliers and overseeing these right through to production. 

“My placement year has opened me up to a range of opportunities which I am so grateful for. With my connections from Urban Outfitters, I am now doing freelance design work so I would like to continue this and build up my portfolio with a range of opportunities.

“During my course, I completed several projects that have all come together to allow me to gain my placement year. From research and ideation projects to portfolio and CV creation. It prepared me for the application process and what to expect and get out of my placement at Urban Outfitters.

Lauren also volunteered at Graduate Fashion Week in Sheffield and London Fashion Week which allowed her to network and get some real  exposure to different roles in the industry.

“I was lucky enough to work at London Fashion Week as a dresser backstage for the Rejina Pyo show and it gave me a huge insight into just how much goes into creating a show on such a large scale.

“I was also able to volunteer at Graduate Fashion Week through Sheffield Hallam and dress the models for the show. It was amazing to see the collections and I was able to see the level that I want to be at in my final year.

After completing her degree, Lauren plans to reach out to her connections in the industry to explore her options and career path. 

“I would like to travel and gain inspiration with the aim of eventually starting my own fashion brand in the long-term, possibly working for a brand such as Urban Outfitters in the meantime. I have so many options that I'd love to choose from, who knows what could happen between now and graduating!”