Fashion is a state of mind
For those who have always felt drawn to fashion, whether it’s a lingering curiosity or means of personal expression, once that gene is in you, it is impossible to shake it off. At first glance one would be forgiven for thinking that perhaps fashion wasn’t the first choice of Mia Galvin-Lidayova, but the truth is, it was always in her.
“Before enrolling at the academy, I worked for over 10 years as a Teaching Assistant and HLTA in a special educational needs school. It was a rewarding role supporting students with a wide range of needs.”
Today Mia is a graduate of the Academy but growing up in Eastern Europe, there were very few options for Mia. Design academies were not accessible at the time and so it meant her attention was redirected elsewhere. But not earning a living from fashion does not mean Mia was not practising fashion. She has always treated clothing as a means of self-expression and found she was fearless in her experimentation.
“I have always loved fashion, making clothes, styling, and putting outfits together. From a young age, I enjoyed experimenting with colour, patterns, shapes, and silhouettes, and fashion became a natural form of self-expression for me. Over the years, people often commented on my style and the way I combined pieces, and many encouraged me to study fashion professionally and pursue becoming a fashion designer.”
Time to take the leap
Creativity and that urge to express yourself through art & design is something that is innate in a person. Regardless of the career or life path they may take, a born creative will never outrun that desire to make something new, something original and something uniquely theirs. For Mia, it was no different. As she grew and her life path evolved, that inner voice was getting louder so finally, when the time was right, she decided to dive in and to learn more. This sounds like an easy choice, but life paths don’t come with a map and there are always risks. People have responsibilities, jobs, and various limitations with their choices. But, lucky for Mia, she found the academy and all the flexibility it provides.
“I chose the academy because the online learning approach felt like the perfect fit for me, allowing me to study fashion alongside my other responsibilities in a way that felt manageable and inspiring. I was looking for a course that was flexible, supportive and creative, and from the moment I discovered the academy while researching fashion courses online, it really stood out to me.”
When students enrol in the academy, regardless of the course they opt for, there tends to be somewhat unexpected lessons that come hand-in-hand with the learning experience. Mia did not have a singular vision for where she wanted her course to take her, but she did not foresee how sustainability would in fact become her primary area of interest.
“When I first enrolled, I knew I had a strong passion for fashion and creativity, but I was still discovering the direction I wanted to take. As the course progressed, I became especially drawn to sustainability in design, which felt very natural to me as I’ve always cared about the environment and loved second-hand fashion and giving clothes a new life. The course helped me connect my creativity with values that already meant a lot to me.”
Learning never ends
It is due to the high standards of the Academy’s courses that many students find their eyes open to new unexplored areas of design. Mia has learnt a lot about the technicalities of design, as well as fabrics, constructions and research. But it is the storytelling aspect of fashion that often surprises students. Behind every collection, every accessory and every garment is a story, and it is this that brings fashion to life. Carefully crafted pieces are further enriched by the tale they tell, even if it’s not obvious at first sight.
“Studying helped me understand the deeper thinking behind design, from construction and fabrics to storytelling and sustainability. My tutor, Patricia, also encouraged me to look at my work more critically, which helped me develop creatively and personally.”
And while it is fascinating, it also requires academic discipline and dedication.
“The most challenging part of the course was learning to think more critically and develop my ideas beyond the first concept, while balancing different stages of the design process. The most interesting part was exploring garment construction, research and sustainability, and seeing how my ideas evolved through experimentation and feedback.”
Studying fashion design is clearly an important step on a path to a career in fashion, but a strong education and professional guidance can also deliver benefits that will stand in any area of life. Mia feels she has grown in confidence as a designer but also as a person. She has “become more organised, resilient, and determined, while improving my sewing, technical, and creative skills along the way.”
Having successfully completed the Academy’s Higher National Diploma, Mia is on the road to becoming a pioneer in sustainable fashion and design.
“In five years, I see myself working as a fashion designer within a sustainable and creative fashion brand, developing my own design identity while contributing to responsible design. I’d also love to continue growing my technical and creative skills.”
When embarking following your calling and taking the steps towards your dream career, there is often a sense of trepidation but once a student opens their mind and welcomes the idea of the unknown, anything is possible. Mia now has her sights on a future in sustainable design and with her bustling imagination, there is no end to what she may do.
Are you ready to explore your own Creative Future?
Whether you’re looking to change careers, develop your creative skills, or turn a passion for design into something more, the Academy has the course for you. All our courses are designed to help you build practical, industry-ready skills from home with personalised tutor feedback and flexible online learning.
Explore our courses and discover where your creativity could take you.
