Fashion students speed network with industry experts

Over one hundred fashion students studying MBA International Fashion Management and MSc International Fashion Marketing had the opportunity to meet industry experts during an entrepreneurial exchange at Coventry University London Campus. Building upon the Early Careers Conference hosted in the autumn term, the Fashion Department organised this opportunity to help students develop confidence and knowledge in a fun format. 

The event saw specialists, including uniform design to costume designer for Lady Gaga, speed network with students in twenty minute bursts.

The speed networking format meant that students had the chance to network with specialists such as the Editor in Chief of DASH Magazine to the purchasing assistant for Victoria Beckham.

Each expert gave a short overview of their business to small groups of six or seven students with the students having the opportunity to ask questions at the end. The questions covered topics including brand building, the challenges of running and marketing a business or essential skills for an internship. Design and retailing and fashion publishing were just some of the industry areas that were represented. Students gained an insight into the fashion industry and gained advice about personal brand building.

With four slots per guest, every student had the opportunity to talk directly and intimately to two companies. The guests enjoyed the experience as much as the students:

Jo Beardswoth of Beardsworth Business said:

“Thank you to Coventry University London Campus for inviting me to this event. I thoroughly enjoyed meeting, listening and talking with the students, especially the Question and Answer session”

To wrap up the afternoon, Teaching Fellow Ella Sharp hosted an ‘In Conversation’ with two Fashion Production specialists focusing primarily on sourcing manufacturing for premium and designer level companies in the UK.  Discussing the challenges of sourcing fashion and how the supply chain in the UK operates in comparison to Italy and China, students were able to ask about the most common challenges manufacturers and designers face and understand the essential requirements when building a successful production relationship.