Fashion Design student wins nationwide Topshop competition
Jessica Herndlhofer wins nationwide Topshop competition
Mon, 18 May 2015 10:53:00 BST
Jessica Herndlhofer’s prize will be a one-year placement working as a Design Assistant in Topshop’s London headquarters
A UNIVERSITY of Huddersfield fashion design student has won the prestigious British Fashion Council Topshop competition. 
Open to universities from across the UK, including a strong contingent from Huddersfield, 22-year-old Jessica Herndlhofer faced strong competition for the prize of an exclusive, one-year paid placement.
The British Fashion Council (BFC) works with its member colleges, which include the University of Huddersfield, to provide opportunities such as placements for students seeking a career in the fashion industry. Members are selected based on their education standards and industry links.
The BFC Colleges Council partners with various fashion companies to run industry-led student competitions with companies such as Topshop and Topman, Burberry, Marks and Spencer, Warehouse, Mulberry and Harrods.
Their placement opportunities include the one in the Topshop competition. The high-street retailer started back in 1964 and since then has grown with over 300 stores in the UK and currently ships to more than 100 countries, sharing their eclectic British style all over the world.
Jessica starts her placement in August this year and is looking forward to it: “I am really excited about working for Topshop and it’s a great opportunity. I will be working across three different design teams which could include casual wear, embroidery or print.”
Jessica will be based at the Arcadia Group Headquarters in London, who own Topshop and Topman along with other well-known high street brands including Burton, BHS, Dorothy Perkins and Wallis.
Re-locating to London
Following the submission of her portfolio, Jessica was invited to an interview with a panel which included the head designer at Topshop and a representative from the British Fashion Council. “I was asked to bring along some samples of my designs and decided to show the panel three designs from my final-year collection. I included one of my favourite pieces, a leather jacket with a laser cut motif on the back, which is heavily beaded and embellished and the panel really liked it.”
Jessica’s entry was supported by her previous experience gained during her university placements, including six months at Erdem in London, three months with Matthew Williamson and a previous placement with Topshop.
Jessica graduates this summer and is currently working towards her final-year collection before re-locating to London and starting her placement position of Design Assistant with Topshop. Her work has also been nominated for the Karen Millen Portfolio Award, for which only one student from each university is entered. The prize for this award includes tickets for Graduate Fashion Week.
Originally from Wallasey on The Wirral, Jessica studied textiles at A-Level and then chose the University of Huddersfield degree as she wanted to pursue her interest in fashion design and textiles. When asked about her future ambitions Jessica said: “Having gained experience in both high end and high street fashion, I would prefer to work with a high street design team. This is the ideal placement for me as Topshop has always been one of my favourite stores and makes up most of my wardrobe.”
