10 recent grads on their expectation vs. reality of the industry

One year after leaving school, here's what these budding young designers have learnt about fashion.

By Jorinde Croese

We asked ten recent fashion design graduates from across the globe to reflect on how their first year in the fashion industry has compared to what they imagined while studying. What surprised them? Which myths were busted? And how has the reality of working life reshaped their ideas of the future?

Their responses offer a candid portrait of post-grad life: the unexpected joy of private clients, the sting of auto-rejection emails, the pressure of visas and rent, the realisation that tight budgets often determine design decisions. One designer discovered fulfilment working directly with customers in a boutique setting; another pivoted toward a PhD and cross-disciplinary research. There’s burnout, but also small wins. Frustration, but also clarity. Whether working freelance, in-house, or still looking for the right fit, their reflections challenge romanticised notions of the “first big break” and reveal the many shapes a creative path can take.

Anonymous

I’m still looking for internships and jobs. It’s been difficult as a Helsinki-based non-EU citizen to get opportunities, especially without a valid visa to work in major fashion cities like Paris. I didn’t think it would be a big issue – until I received an auto-reply email rejecting my application the moment I submitted it.

Right now, I’m working as a freelancer; I was lucky to get an order from someone who liked my designs. Pricing was the hardest part, to be honest. School didn’t teach us the business side of fashion – we have to learn that through real-life experience. I find it quite hard to negotiate with customers, which is why I’d rather work for a brand than run my own business. I’m not good at managing a positive cash flow on my own.

Kishan S. Tehara

I was lucky to work throughout my education – first in casting, then as a designer – so the industry wasn’t completely unfamiliar. I never expected glamour or ease. What struck me most after graduation was how different the American and European systems are. In the US, there’s a tendency to hyper-specialise – you might end up designing only men’s collars. In Europe and the UK, the approach is broader: you often work across categories like menswear or womenswear, pre-collections, accessories, etc. Roles tend to be more fluid, especially in terms of responsibility.