“GCU was able to balance fashion and business letting me gain the essential skills and experiences in both areas.”

2022 International Fashion Business graduate Abbie Thomson shares her insight into life at GCU and life after graduating from university.

I chose to study at GCU because…

Out of all the Universities that offer a fashion degree, GCU was the only one that offered the chance to study fashion and business. GCU was able to balance fashion and business letting me gain the essential skills and experiences in both areas, something which I found really important whilst looking for the perfect degree.

The most important aspect of my university experience has been…

All the real-life experiences. GCU has been so good for creating connections and networking with brands. I’ve had the chance to work with some amazing brands on live briefs which has been so important for preparing me for my career after graduation. I was so lucky to be asked to speak at GCU’s sustainable fashion event during COP26 which if it wasn’t for GCU I wouldn’t have had the chance to participate in.

My biggest lesson learned so far is…

To grow you need to push yourself out your comfort zone.

I’m proud to be part of the University for the Common Good because…

GCU encourages you to stand out and be individual. I was able to express myself in all of my different modules for fashion and business which helped me be more confident in myself and my abilities.

I get my inspiration from…

Lots of different places. I like to take inspiration from things that I am interested in or things happening currently in my life. I take a lot of inspiration from the early 2000s and pop culture. I feel like I’ve always been a very creative person and from being a part of GCU the creativity has grown and grown.

My next steps look like…

I am currently E-Commerce Executive for a fashion boutique called Libellula Boutique. Working for a small business like Libellula is allowing me to experience lots of different aspects of the fashion industry such as fashion buying, styling, content creating. Not long back from London on a buying trip and will be heading to Manchester in a few weeks’ time for another.

You are most likely to bump into me…

Near any shopping centre that owns a Zara, probably wearing the most colourful or patterned outfit haha

Thank you to Abbie for sharing her GCU experience, if you would like to share your #GCUGradStory visit: https://bit.ly/3C4zNqY 

For more information on how to apply to GCU visit: Undergraduate | GCU