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Industry insights from Amazon Fashion for Fashion Media & Marketing students

Amazon Fashion's Cassie Fitzpatrick gives exclusive insight into the fashion industry for our BA (Hons) Fashion Media & Marketing students. Images by BA (Hons) Fashion Media & Marketing student Victoria Hughes.
<p><a href="https://www.aup.ac.uk/courses/undergraduate/ba-hons-fashion-media-marketing" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Fashion Media &amp; Marketing</a> students welcomed Amazon Fashion's Cassie Fitzpatrick for a full day of talks, workshops and discussions; sharing exclusive insights into the fashion industry with our soon-to-be graduates.</p>
<p>Senior Trend and Product Analyst Cassie Fitzpatrick has over ten years industry experience, ranging from forecasting fashion trends through to content creation and brand activation.</p> <p>Beginning her career after graduating from a degree in fashion journalism, Cassie has worked in styling at Universal, with WGSN as a Trend Analyst and Researcher for sportswear and knitwear and then as a personal stylist at Topshop, Oxford Street, styling international clients and media celebrities.</p> <p>From here Cassie moved onto her role with Amazon and was part of the in-house team who launched Amazon Fashion.</p>
Cassie Fitzpatrick giving talk
<p>Students were able to take part in a collaborative Q&amp;A session exploring how technology is shaping the future of fashion, and how new technologies and data are revolutionising how businesses operate. Cassie also shared some of her top tips for progressing into this fast-paced, dynamic industry.</p> <p>Cassie talked about her creative journey through university and how she tackled things like internships, work experience and then making the final move from her home in Wales to London to chase her dream.</p> <p>Cassie referenced her experience starting in London working multiple jobs, as well as one of her roles working from 7pm - 7am for Hilary Alexander, as a reminder to students that this type of work requires a lot of hard work and persistence, but the achievements are very rewarding. After talking through her vast industry experience, Cassie opened the room up to questions from the students.</p>
“Be strategic in your approach to your career, work with startups and small businesses to gain experience and then use this to your advantage.”
Cassie Fitzpatrick, Senior Trends & Product Analyst at Amazon
<p>When asked for the most valuable piece of advice she had ever been given, Cassie explained that it was to not be an expert in just one thing. She explained, "I studied Fashion Journalism but when I moved into full time work after graduating, I was ‘dipping my fingers in different pies’ and adapting to different roles, even if it was out of my comfort zone. Being flexible and taking on every opportunity can make your skills invaluable and desirable."</p>
Cassie fitzpatrick selfie

Image courtesy Cassie Fitzpatrick

<p>Students studying our <a href="https://www.aup.ac.uk/courses/undergraduate/ba-hons-fashion-media-marketing" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> Fashion Media &amp; Marketing</a> programme are encouraged to take on multiple roles within the industry, from branding and styling through to creative direction and photography, continually adding to their skill set and using this to reach out and apply for work experience at a range of different companies.</p> <p>During the workshop, Cassie stressed the importance of networking, and using every opportunity to expand your skillset. She explained how taking on roles outside of her previous experience had challenged her both professionally and creatively.</p> <p>Visits from industry contacts are an invaluable and important experience for all of our students, this is something that we offer across all of our programmes for students to hear first-hand accounts from professionals and engage in encouraging discussions to help motivate and inspire their progression through their creative journey.</p>
<h4><strong>Cassie's top tips for getting into the fashion industry:</strong></h4> <p>"Utilise social media as an important tool for advertising yourself and your skills."</p> <p>"Invest yourself into every job, grab opportunities and work experience while you’re studying to give yourself a head start once graduating."</p> <p>"Network like crazy, make it a mission to talk to at least two important people at events, work experience, work hard and invest time - word of mouth and recommendations work in your favour."</p> <p><strong>Inspired to pursue a career in fashion?</strong><br /></p><ul><li><a href="https://www.aup.ac.uk/open-days" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Book a place on our next Open Day on 5 January 2019, get a tour of our amazing facilities and chat to current students and staff</a></li><li><a href="https://www.aup.ac.uk/courses/undergraduate/ba-hons-fashion-media-marketing" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Take a look at our BA (Hons) Fashion Media &amp; Marketing course</a></li><li><a href="https://www.aup.ac.uk/posts/whats-your-proposition-create-your-proposition" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Make your mark and share your proposition on our campaign wall</a></li></ul>