Rebecca Cox

Please tell us a bit about yourself and your current career / career plans?

I’m 22 years old, from a small seaside town along the east coast. I have recently
secured a Design Admin Assistant job at Seasalt, based in Falmouth, Cornwall. I will
hopefully progress in the fashion industry over years to come. One step in the door,
many more experiences to come.

How do you think the skills and knowledge you developed at Leeds helped / will help with your career success?

By final year you really feel ready to face the industry. The 4 years of preparation: a
variety of modules, garment technology, design portfolio and year in industry really
puts you in the perfect position to apply for a graduate job.

Please tell us about your experience being shortlisted for the MTV x BFC Music Meets Fashion competition and if this has shaped your future career plans.

I found out I had been shortlisted on the same day I handed in my final project for
university, it was such an amazing feeling. To then find out I was named one of five
global finalists felt like such an achievement. The journey of producing the three
looks for London fashion week really kept me sane throughout lockdown in Covid
times. Weekly zoom meetings with MTV, creative agencies, River Island and the
British Fashion Council helped me stay connected through such disconnected and
uncertain times.

It has been so much fun seeing my designs come to life and to be featured in
campaigns at London fashion week - although digital - I have developed and adapted
as a designer for the current situation. This confidence and acknowledgement helped
me obtain a graduate design job which I will be starting in the next few weeks. 

What made you want to apply to your course and to Leeds?

I was really excited by the facilities Leeds offer, the design school and campus life
was appealing to me. Leeds is the perfect city for students, offering a range of
activities, night life, shops, and the university offer a range of exciting societies - I
joined amateur boxing and the surf club.

What aspects of the course did you enjoy the most?

The highlight of my course was the Year in Industry. My internship took place in the
Netherlands, I had a 12 month placement at O’Neill Europe as a womenswear
design intern.

I really enjoyed the design/ portfolio modules, alongside learning about green design/
sustainability and exploring sustainable practices within my dissertation.

Tell us more about your Year in Industry experience and what have you gained from it?

My internship was based in the Netherlands which was such an exciting experience.
Having a year abroad was eye opening, I learnt a range of design and life skills,
which really set me up for final year and to acknowledge what direction I wanted to
follow career wise. While I was there I saw my designs being sold in O’Neill shops
across Europe.

What would you say about the learning and the support facilities in your School and at the University in general?

The learning facilities across the university are great, I found myself in Laidlaw library
majority of final year reading and studying for my dissertation - a great selection of
books, as well as online material, not to mention the Caffe Nero within the library.
Within the design school there are some good spaces to study - whether that be the
mac cluster or garment tech studio. For practical modules the technicians are helpful,
friendly and offer advice.

What would you say to anyone thinking of applying to your course?

The course is a real mix of creative and academic modules. I would say make sure
you are 100% sure you want to pursue a career in fashion/ design - the industry is
tougher than ever, and the course is intense, but if you are passionate you will love it.
I have made life long friends from fashion design and other courses within the design
school - it’s a real hub of creativity and innovation, a great place to meet like-minded
people.