Sunderland University graduate lands job with Abercrombie & Fitch

A fashion student from Tyneside has landed a job with one of the world’s top fashion labels after her graduation project won over talent spotters in the United States.

Sophia Ramsey, who is from Gateshead, has landed the position at Abercrombie & Fitch after graduating from Sunderland University.

The 22-year-old will head to the company’s headquarters in Ohio, USA, early next year to design womenswear for the trendy label.

She landed the job after she and fellow students on Sunderland’s fashion, product and promotion course raised enough funding to set up a small stall at Graduate Fashion Week in London for the first time in June.

A recruitment agent from Abercrombie & Fitch spotted Sophia’s collection of menswear designs, which were created as part of her final-year project, and suggested she apply for a job.

That led to her being flown to the US, where she pitted her design skills against 15 candidates from around the world.

A day after returning to Britain, Sophia was offered one of four jobs available at the firm, which had received hundreds of applications.

“I feel incredibly fortunate to have been offered such a massive opportunity with a company like Abercrombie & Fitch,” the Tyneside woman said, “I just can’t wait to get started.

“Ironically, I’ll be designing for the company’s womenswear collection, yet it was my designs for men’s clothing in my final year project which initially caught the attention of the recruitment agent in London.

“The interview process in Ohio took place over several days and they liked the portfolio of work I was asked to produce for them.”

In the months before she starts her career, Sophia plans to spend as much time as possible with her family and friends, while continuing her children’s face-painting business, designing gifts and cards, as well as researching ideas for her new employers.

She said: “My advice to any student starting their course would be to work as hard as you can and you will get where you want to be in the future.

“Never put off work. I sacrificed a lot of my social life for three years, but to land a job like this was worth every night in and my family are so proud.”

The university is opening up its doors next week to possible future students who could follow in Sophia’s footsteps next Tuesday.

The open day will provide the opportunity for potential students and their families to see the university facilities and talk to students and staff.

Source: Graeme Whitfield, Journallive.co.uk, Wednesday 15th August 2012