Graduate Fashion Week may be based in East London, but it's filled with talent from all over the globe, with the International Fashion Award featuring talent from New York, New Delhi, Sri Lanka and everywhere in between. One of our international universities, The British Higher School of Art and Design in Russia, is partnered with School of the Creative Arts of the University of Hertfordshire, and focuses on art and fashion from an international perspective.
Tehmina Poghosyan, graduate of the Moscow based design school, travelled to London last summer to represent her institution at GFW17. We caught up with the designer to find out more about how the history of her culture has affected her creative work, the journey from student to head of design and why your personality should always shine through your pieces.
Which university did you attend, and can you tell us three things you learnt there, that have helped you since graduating?
I attended British Higher School of Art & Design in Moscow. There are lot of knowledges helping me every day in my work. I would say, the most important skills were given through experience in live projects with big brands such us All Saints and Lush, tough deadlines and good technical skills.
Congratulations on showcasing in London as part of Graduate Fashion Week! How did it feel to show your work on an international stage?
Thank you. As a graduate from Russia, it was amazing experience, huge international audience to share my art.
Tell us a bit more about your career journey since showing at Graduate Fashion Week.
I worked with a Jacquard producing company as a part of my collection, so they invited me to work on several commercial projects together after show. Presently I am head designer of fashion brand specialising in conceptual uniforms. In a period of time I am planning to apply for MA program in London.
Are there any political, social or historical concepts you explore through your work, or messages you hope to convey?
For me, fashion is a means of my self-expression. I noticed that it does not matter what inspires me, people always see myself in my work. It means different social situations which my country got through it includes historical pain and political arguments. The environment influences my work as well as myself in any ways.
Every year many international fashion students hope to show in Truman Brewery and compete as part of the International Catwalk Competition. What advice would you give them?
To enjoy themselves in their work, be themselves and try not to pretend to be someone else.
What’s the most exciting project you’ve worked on so far?
Learning new things and making anything unique is always exciting for me. But the most exciting project was to make to model fitting in Truman Brewery from the Heathrow airport in 1 hour.
Where are you hoping to be in five years time?
In five years I hope to have more knowledge and experience in different areas of fashion design.
Words by Annabel Waterhouse-Biggins