The Summer Program That Shaped Aliane’s Creative Voice

Can you share some background on yourself and your current studies or role?

I’m nineteen years old and was born and raised in Accra, Ghana. I’m of Indian and Bulgarian heritage, and I completed my entire schooling in Ghana before moving to the UK for university. Growing up in such a multicultural environment has shaped my interest in culture, identity, media, and the ways in which stories are represented.

Throughout school, I was always drawn to creative projects and opportunities where I could take on leadership roles.

I was Head of Marketing and PR for my school’s Yearbook Club, where I helped promote the yearbook and shape how it was presented to students. I also took on roles such as Entertainment Prefect and Vice President of my school’s STEM Committee, which helped me develop my communication, organization, and leadership skills.

I’m now studying International Media and Communications at the University of Nottingham, where I’m exploring my interests in media, marketing, fashion, and the creative industries.

Alongside my studies, I’m the Social Media Officer for the university’s African and Caribbean Society (ACS), where I create and manage social media content and help promote the society’s events and initiatives.

I’m particularly interested in how media can be used to tell stories, represent different cultures, and connect people and communities.

What made you choose Vogue College of Fashion for your studies?

I chose Vogue College of Fashion because I wanted to explore the connection between fashion, media, and storytelling in a more practical and creative environment. Coming from a background in marketing, PR, and communications, I was interested in understanding how fashion brands and publications communicate their identities and connect with audiences.

I was also drawn to the opportunity to learn from people working within the industry and gain experience outside of a traditional university setting. Vogue College offered a space where I could develop my creative skills, collaborate with other students, and gain a better understanding of the different career paths within fashion media.

As someone who grew up in Ghana and comes from an Indian and Bulgarian background, I’m particularly interested in culture and representation within fashion. I felt that Vogue College would give me the opportunity to explore these interests while challenging me creatively and helping me build confidence within the industry.

Which course did you enroll in, and why?

I enrolled in the Fashion Media and Styling course in London. My interest in fashion and creativity started from a young age, partly because I grew up seeing my Indian aunties work as fashion designers. Being exposed to their creativity and seeing the process behind creating fashion made me curious about the industry from an early age.

I chose this course because I wanted to explore that interest further and understand fashion beyond just clothing. I was particularly interested in the relationship between fashion, media, styling, and visual storytelling, and how these elements come together to create an identity and communicate a message.

The course gave me the opportunity to develop my creative skills in a practical environment, collaborate with other creatives, and gain a better understanding of the fashion industry in London.

What were the most valuable skills you gained during the program?

One of the most valuable things I gained from the program was a stronger understanding of how to visually communicate an idea. I developed my skills in styling, creative direction, visual storytelling, and editorial thinking while learning how different elements can work together to create a clear concept and identity.

Another major area of growth for me was public speaking. I have always been quite shy when it comes to speaking in front of people, so the program really pushed me outside of my comfort zone.

From participating in class discussions and group critiques to presenting our final project, I was constantly encouraged to share my ideas and speak with confidence.

The biggest challenge, and one of my proudest moments, was presenting our final work in front of the wider Fashion Media and Styling group, as well as representatives from Condé Nast and Vogue College.

Being able to confidently present something I had worked on was a huge step for me.

I also developed my ability to effectively communicate ideas within a team. Overall, the program not only strengthened my creative and communication skills, but it also gave me more confidence in my voice and ideas.

Describe your favorite day of the program. Where did you go, and who did you meet?

My favorite day of the program was actually the final day. It was bittersweet because it meant saying goodbye to a place and a group of people that had become such an important part of my summer, but it was also the day I realized how many genuine friendships I had made.

For our final presentation, everyone from the program came together. Although we had been separated into two different classes throughout the program, everyone was there to support each other.

We cheered for each group during their presentations, encouraged each other when people were nervous, and celebrated everyone’s hard work.

It was especially meaningful because we were also presenting our work to brand representatives, so there was a real sense of excitement and achievement in the room. Seeing everyone come together and support one another made me realize that I had not only gained new skills through the program but had also met people who I genuinely believe will be friends for life.

It was the perfect way to end the program: bittersweet, exciting, and filled with a real sense of community and accomplishment.

How has the program contributed to your growth, either professionally or academically?

The program contributed to my growth both professionally and academically by allowing me to explore different sides of the fashion and media industry.

One of the biggest highlights was taking on the role of Marketing Director for our capstone project. The program allowed me to explore my interest in PR and marketing in a fashion-focused environment and understand how a creative project is positioned and communicated to an audience.

The program also gave me insight into different career paths within the industry. Through writing-based tasks, I experienced what it could be like to work in fashion writing and editorial. Creative tasks such as sketching six of my favorite pieces from the Schiaparelli exhibition allowed me to explore a more artistic side.

Academically, I really valued how the program reflected a professional working environment.

We had to submit work online, manage different tasks, and meet realistic deadlines, which taught me the importance of organization, time management, and accountability.

I also had the opportunity to connect with industry professionals and overall, the program gave me practical experience, strengthened my confidence, and helped me better understand where my interests in PR, marketing, writing, and creative direction could take me.