Where to Study Fashion in Australia: MY FIRST WEEK AT NFC

WORDS BY NFC STUDENT, MARIAM RAZA

After spending years surrounded by anatomy labs and research papers, going into my first week at National Fashion College felt like stepping into a world I’d always dreamed of exploring.

I’m Mariam, and starting this new chapter in my life and career has been exciting to say the least. In fact, if you had told high school Mariam that she would finally be studying her dream fashion course in the future, there is NO WAY she would ever believe you, it just felt so out of reach back then. After finishing high school, I had a strong interest in medicine and thus went straight into a bachelor’s degree in medical science, which seemed like a safe option to me. Although I found it interesting and learned so many skills, it just never felt 100% true to who I am.

Deep inside, I was always daydreaming about a different, more creative path, but was scared of what other people might think. I was always known as the girl who sketched fashion designs in the back of her school notebooks or secretly browsed Chanel collections during class, so in my mind, it was only fitting to pursue this passion. When I finished my degree, I decided to just take a leap of faith to study fashion (my first love <3) and see where it takes me!

As I began figuring out how to make this dream a reality, NFC immediately stood out to me because of how practical the course is. The opportunities for internships, networking events, and the chance to learn from experienced industry professionals all inspired me to finally get out of my comfort zone and start building a path into the industry I’d always wanted to be a part of. My journey into fashion might seem unconventional, but I’m proud to say I’ve finally taken a step towards a future that feels true to myself.

My first week here at NFC was both chaotic and surreal. As someone who is quiet and reserved by nature, I was really nervous walking in, but everyone I met was so kind and welcoming! My first class was in marketing, and after years of analytical, scientific thinking, it was a breath of fresh air to be able to learn about creativity, branding, and storytelling through real-world scenarios that mirror situations we’d actually face in the industry.

One of the highlights of my first week was attending my first networking event. Listening to an industry icon share their journey made me feel like I could actually achieve all of my goals one day!

As I progress throughout this course, I’m so excited to continue building my confidence, developing practical skills, and pushing myself creatively and I’m really grateful to everyone at NFC for creating such a supportive environment.

NFC has shown me that no matter where you come from, there is space for you to grow, explore, and find your place in the fashion world.

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