A student at Hull’s employer-led school has been offered a highly sought-after place at a prestigious academy launched by world-famous designer Professor Jimmy Choo OBE.
Sanziana Vetis, 18, has been offered the exciting opportunity to become a potential future fashion leader at JCA London Fashion Academy in the heart of Mayfair.
If Sanziana achieves the required A-level and technical qualification grades, she will study for a BA (Hons) Fashion: Design, Branding and Entrepreneurship degree over three years from September.
Sanziana, who is studying Digital Media and Art at Ofsted “Outstanding”-rated Ron Dearing University Technical College (UTC), will relocate to the capital for the design-led practical course.
JCA London Fashion Academy is named after bespoke shoemaker Jimmy Choo, whose business was founded in the 1990s and grew to become a leading global luxury brand with devoted followers among the celebrity jet set.
As well as being the figurehead of JCA London Fashion Academy, Jimmy Choo is also the academy’s Creative Director and uses his knowledge and expertise to underpin the concepts behind its courses.
The course Sanziana has been offered a place on provides students with detailed insight into creating garments and their own contemporary fashion collections, arming them with the skills to succeed in the fashion industry.
It offers graduates the tools they need to establish themselves as fashion freelancers, small luxury brand operators or set up their own businesses.
Year 13 student Sanziana, who joined Ron Dearing UTC in Year 10, said: “I’m so happy and excited for the future. I’ve always been interested in fashion and I knew I wanted to apply to JCA as soon as I heard about it from my art teacher, Lynn.
“I worked long and hard perfecting my portfolio and decided to create a website about myself and my fashion-based projects, rather than a standard digital presentation, as part of my application, as I wanted to show I have something special.
“I had an interview with a senior member of staff via Zoom soon after and I squealed with delight when I found out I’d been offered a place. I was at school when I received the email and everyone was so happy for me.”
Sanziana is also looking forward to learning more about fashion sustainability and carrying out research to complete her own projects.
She said: “I chose this particular degree because it will help me to build my own fashion line, business and brand.
“There’s a shop next door to the academy where we can sell what we make, which could be anything from a ballgown to bags or shoes.
“The only time I’ve been to London was on a school art trip recently and we went to have a look at the academy from the outside while we were there, which was brilliant.
“I don’t believe I would have had this amazing opportunity without the support of my teachers at Ron Dearing UTC. They care about your future, help you to grow and make you feel valued and supported.”
Lynn Garland-Collins, Senior Assistant Principal and Director of Creativity at Ron Dearing UTC, said: “This is an unbelievable opportunity for Sanziana and she has worked extremely hard to pursue her dream of going into the fashion industry.
“We can’t wait to attend one of her fashion shows in the future and follow her progress. She is destined for great things and we’re incredibly proud of her.”