I recently gave a career talk at my son’s school, speaking about what it’s like to work as a designer in the fashion industry. Sounds simple, right? But honestly, I was completely out of my comfort zone.
I spent a ridiculous amount of time preparing for a 15-minute talk—speaking to a group of ten- and eleven-year-olds, most of whom dream of becoming pro footballers or YouTubers. It was terrifying! But I showed up in the hope that even if just one or two kids took something meaningful away, it would be worth it. And despite the nerves, I came away buzzing.
🚫 Limited Options Back Then
When I was growing up, career talks weren’t all that inspiring—unless you wanted to be a police officer or a dentist. Creative careers? They just weren’t presented as a real option. Telling my parents I wanted to be a fashion designer in the '90s felt like announcing I wanted to become a pop star: wild, unrealistic, and not remotely practical.
Luckily, my mum got it. She was creative herself—she made her own clothes and her love for The Clothes Show was next-level. Her enthusiasm became my permission slip. While some of my classmates were shadowing bank managers, my mum secured me a placement with a local interior designer. At 13, I was making a padded mirror frame for a famous cricketer’s apartment. Not bad for a first taste of the working world!
That experience lit a fire in me. I learned early on to chase opportunities, say yes to things, and enjoy the process. My drive was shaped right there—and it’s never left me.
💡 A New Perspective on Creativity
Now that I'm a parent—and someone working in a creative field—I see just how important it is to nurture creativity in kids. Studying art isn’t just about drawing. It’s about understanding the world, solving problems, expressing yourself, and most of all, having ideas.
And ideas? They can grow into anything.
We need to value the creative arts alongside traditional academic paths. There are so many exciting and fulfilling creative careers out there—fashion, design, illustration, photography, styling, set design—the list is endless. And it all starts with giving space for creativity in school.
So here’s to encouraging the next generation of creators, even if most of them currently want to be footballers. You never know what might spark something in someone—and how far that spark can take them.
🎒 PS:
If you’re a parent, teacher, or creative who’s ever wondered how to inspire kids to think outside the career box—this is your sign. Share your story. You never know who needs to hear it.
📸 Image credit: @bobandrobertasmith
