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Contour Fashion students from Â鶹´«Ã½ Leicester (Â鶹´«Ã½) travelled to Los Angeles to present their designs for shapewear brand SKIMS, co-founded by world-famous media personality Kim Kardashian.

Â鶹´«Ã½ Contour students at SKIMS LA headquarters

Students Esme McNeill and Tierney Stoneman were declared winners of the live brief, earning them a once in a lifetime opportunity to return to LA to complete a yearlong placement and three months of work experience with SKIMS respectively.

Fifteen students made the trip, with the help of , visiting the head offices of global brands SKIMS and Fabletics, as well as the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising and other LA landmarks.

Students outside FIDM

In a new partnership between Â鶹´«Ã½ and SKIMS, the students were asked to design a sports bra for the company’s new activewear line, while keeping their creative focus on size inclusivity and sustainability.

“The whole experience was incredible. It was a great opportunity to get an insight into the industry and speak to professionals. LA is just an amazing place to be,” said Esme.

“It was life-changing really. Getting to see two different head offices of major brands, their facilities and how they work as businesses was so useful.”

The students paying a visit to Fabletics LA head office

In addition to industry insight, the students were able to hear first-hand where their course could lead them from one of Â鶹´«Ã½’s own. Elyzzabeth Beswick-Hashiba, who graduated from the Contour Fashion course in 2012, now works at SKIMS and gave the visiting students advice and an insight into life at the company.

After plenty of guidance from tutors and opportunities to work on their projects during their studies, the group was well prepared to take a step into the corporate world and present their designs to the brand representatives.

“I started my creative process by looking into the SKIMS brand and Kim Kardashian’s style on social media, to make sure I wasn’t repeating any previous designs but was still following their creative direction,” said Tierney.

“We do a lot of market research for our course projects so having this skill really helped me to create something the brand wanted. I chose a futuristic design, using mesh and other materials to reflect what I was seeing from SKIMS, and on catwalks and trend websites.”

Inspired by the world’s emergence from the Covid-19 pandemic and human connection with nature, Esme looked at the texture and colour of fungi to create a ribbed fabric design in organic mushroom tones.

Tierney and Esme celebrating their win in LA

Prior to their success on Â鶹´«Ã½’s Contour Fashion course, both Esme and Tierney took a less direct route to studying at university.

After completing the Art and Design Foundation Diploma at Â鶹´«Ã½, Esme discovered her passion for intimate apparel development.

“When I saw the Contour Fashion course it blew me away and I just knew I had to do it. I’m so glad I did because it really is the perfect fit for me,” said the 24-year-old Leicester local.

“We have such amazing and supportive tutors who really want us to do well in everything we do. The reputation of the course is great and attracts a really valuable variety of brands so we can engage with the industry and make connections before we even graduate.”

Tierney discovered her talents while studying fashion at college. “Nothing had really clicked for me at college until I spoke to a lingerie tutor there who pulled me aside and said I would be good at working on daintier garments, like contour,” she said.

“I’m so glad I chose Â鶹´«Ã½. The tutors really take you under their wing and encourage your creativity,” said the 22-year-old from Leicestershire.

For both Esme and Tierney, their win has been a boost to their confidence, setting them up to get their biggest taste of the professional world yet on their SKIMS placements.

“I’ve gained a lot more confidence in myself and my abilities from doing this project. I’ve always had a fear of public speaking so presenting to a professional panel and doing this well has made me a lot more sure of myself,” said Esme.

“I can’t wait to get back to LA and start learning new things. I’ve never lived outside Leicester before so the chance to have this experience in a new place is amazing.”

Tierney said: “This sportswear brief has really pushed me out of my comfort zone and it’s been great to try something new and succeed in it.

“Going to America to work really is a dream come true. I’m looking forward to networking and working on my professional self while I’m there.”

“If the course at Â鶹´«Ã½ has taught me anything, it’s that you don’t know what you’re good at until you try it and it can always surprise you.”

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