Naoise Jo graduated from Griffith’s BA (Hons) in Fashion Design in 2018. Here she tells us a little more about herself, how she got on at Griffith and exciting things she’s been up to since!

Tell us a little bit about yourself.

I’m from Dublin but my mum is from Manchester and I take a lot of pride in my English roots. I graduated from Griffith in 2018 with a 1st class honours degree from the BA (Hons) in Fashion Design.

Have you always known you wanted to study fashion?

No, I had always been a creative person and so I knew I wanted to study a creative course but it was only when I started a customised shorts business in 4th year in secondary school that I realised I wanted to study fashion design.

What was the most significant thing you took from your studies at Griffith?

The wide range of subjects provides you with knowledge in various parts of the industry, which I didn’t realise I needed until I was working in it. I also learned about the importance time management. The support from the tutors has given me confidence in my work and to pursue fashion design as a career.

What was your favourite part of studying fashion at Griffith?

I loved our studio classes as creating sketchbooks and designing is my favourite part of the design process. The small classes mean you get far more attention from tutors than in other colleges. I also really loved the pressure. Although it’s stressful, I felt it drove me to come up with ideas quickly and you have less time to doubt yourself.

Did you learn anything that you didn’t expect to?

I didn’t expect to learn computer pattern drafting as I didn’t know it existed before coming to Griffith! Computer-aided design is such an important part of the industry today so to have some experience of using it is fantastic.

Tell us a little bit about what you’ve been up to since Griffith.

Since graduating I have interned for Primark and Avoca - they were very different from each other and so I got to see the fashion industry from different perspectives which was brilliant. Both were fantastic opportunities. I have also had my graduate collection featured in Vulkan magazine, a Toronto-based fashion magazine. I have been working for project Fashion, a company that teaches children fashion design. I currently have seven classes in which I teach 7 - 12-year the steps of fashion design from the initial design, choosing fabric, cutting, sewing and wearing the garment down the runway. I also recently showcased at Fashion Finest during London Fashion week in September. I showcased a new six outfit collection inspired by both my Irish and English heritage. It is a more modern and summery extension of my graduate collection.

Do you have any advice for current students?

The last year has been a roller coaster of an experience - one minute you think you will never make it and then the next minute you have a phone call with an amazing opportunity. To anyone have self-doubt, I say all you can do is design what makes you happy and enjoy it!

Griffith College