Shay is a MMU BA Fashion graduate and has been out in China for about one and a half years. She has become a good friend and has helped us so much during our time here in Ningbo. Her stories about what she is getting up to in her own work, and the opportunities she has been offered whilst in China are incredible. So I asked her for some more details on her time here as to get an informed understanding of what it is really like for her.
Shay came out here as part of a graduate program and began teaching English. This later developed into her current, full-time position within our college here, Zhejiang Fashion & Textile College. She has continued teaching English, but now also teaches classes on Fashion. It is great for them as it gives them an insight into the Western fashion scene and pushes their boundaries that little bit more. For example she will often outline at the beginning of a fashion lesson that under no circumstances must and bows, prom dresses or bling be incorporated in their work (a common theme in Chinese fashion design).
She has helped us all when we were unsure about our own lessons and it is clear she is a thoughtful teacher. She said herself she cares about making her lessons enjoyable and wants her students to get something out of her classes. She even spent evenings tutoring, to get students prepared for national English competitions where one went on to reach the final.
However, her fashion career out here is equally as impressive.
Shay has been keen to take advantage of opportunities here (a quality I am noticing to being key to success). She attends meetings with staff from the college, working to improve the students’ experience and connection with industry. Shay (like many tutors back in Manchester) recognises it is mutually beneficial to be practicing what you preach. She has done freelance work for womenswear, menswear, childrenswear an even accessory design.
Competitions are a great way to gain experience within the Chinese fashion scene (although a translator is required). There are a lot of such events here and often with a hefty sum of prize money up-for-grabs. Whilst we have been here, she has competed in a national fashion design competition. She did amazingly well and was in the top 30 out of 850 competitors! A three-outfit collection was designed and made for the contest. It was based on an ethnic minority in China and Shay did some beautiful designs for it.
For this competition it was not compulsory for the participants to make the garments themselves, but Shay worked hard and made sure the best person for the job was found. She made a great contact; one of the most accomplished seamstresses from a top factory was commissioned to make her three outfits.
I saw her meticulously cut out her pattern pieces, ready to be sent off to the seamstress and the final product. They were all immaculate and Shay was pleased with all but one of the garments. However, that was easily resolved, just in time for the photo shoot.
I was more than happy to help Shay by modelling her collection in a photo shoot. It took place in the university’s studio (another fantastic resource) and Rachel (an accomplished photographer and friend of Shay’s from home who has come out to teach).
The photos turned out great and were used in her portfolio that accompanied her to the event itself. There was a catwalk and even a gruelling interview.
Shay’s most impressive and exciting accomplishment to date has happened whilst we have been out here. We have been hearing the ongoing developments and found the whole thing fascinating. Shay is currently working part-time for a footwear design company. A friend of Hank, a tutor at the college here and leather specialist approached her. She has been entrusted with a large and ever increasing amount of responsibility. She has chosen colours for new collections, right before thousands were sent into production and is also in charge of trend research. She has recently got back from a convention where she has selected next season’s collection and met some invaluable contacts that appreciate her Western and Chinese understanding and insight.
Her achievements here are truly incredible and I have really enjoyed getting to know her and hearing her experiences. The opportunities here are incomparable to in the UK and Shay is riding every one to the max. It is really inspiring to see and I look forward to hearing about her exciting future. It has really made me think about my own career path and future horizons. I am feeling so exceptionally fortunate to be here and having this incredible life experience.