She loves studying fashion business so much she’s getting 2 degrees in it

If you could launch a fashion business, what would it look like? Would it be monogram-filled like Louis Vuitton? Would it look like Ralph Lauren’s preppy American aesthetic? Or maybe something like Gucci’s equestrian-inspired motifs?

Dzarith Camelia wants hers to look minimalist, casual, and modern. Think Dior’s blend of classic elegance and contemporary design, or for a more local example, Alia Bastamam’s modern, sophisticated aesthetic.

“Minimalist and modern aesthetic can never be gone,” the Malaysian says. “So I like something that we can wear for a long time.”

Sustainability is also something that Camelia wants to include in her dream collection, as evident in her final year project for her Fashion Management and Communication bachelor’s degree at Sheffield Hallam University.

That aligns with what Gen Zs, such as herself, want in fashion nowadays. According to a report by First Insight, 62% of Gen Z shoppers prefer to buy from sustainable brands like PANGAIA and Patagonia, and 73% are willing to pay more for sustainable products.

These brands use materials like organic fibres and recycled materials, and employ environmentally sound production processes that minimise waste and pollution.

Camelia’s form of sustainability? Shredding old clothes to upcycle into a new piece of clothing.

Fashion business taught her how to think about sustainability . Source: Dzarith Camelia

From fashion school to a marketing role in the beauty industry

That wasn’t the only thing she worked on during her degree. She organised a mock fashion show with her peers according to the given floral theme.

“My role involved event coordination, styling, model management, and stage setup. I was responsible for organising models, coordinating outfits, managing backstage, and directing the sequence of the show,” Camelia says. “It was a great experience that taught me teamwork, time management, and creativity under pressure.”

Her experience led her to marketing roles, a job she likes most within the fashion industry. Today, she is a content specialist at Thailand’s #1 cosmetic website, where she does most of the company’s social media campaigns.

And Camelia has her sights on more things that would get her even further in the industry.

She plans to return to Sheffield Hallam University to pursue a master’s degree in international fashion business marketing, though she has University of Edinburgh and Royal College of Art as second and third options.

“I really love marketing so much,” she says. “I really want to learn new things from different perspectives such as advertisements, digital websites, etc. Because right now, I’m not knowledgeable in those parts, so there is more to learn.”

Next year, she is returning to Sheffield Hallam University to pursue a master’s degree in international fashion business marketing. Source: Dzarith Camelia

Returning to the UK to pursue a master’s in marketing

Now that she will be returning to the UK, she is all prepped to thrive and not repeat her mistakes when she first set foot there.

Recalling her first time there, she remembers that finding accommodation, transportation, and the nearest local market to get her supplies were the toughest parts of her adapting to the country.

With neither guide nor local connections, she needed to figure out how to live there by herself.

Having lived through those ups and downs during her twinning programme days, Camelia is now prepared to face new challenges that may arise the second time living there.

In fact, the lessons she learned both academically and personally are what shape her to become the personshe is today.

“You don’t have to be perfect at everything to succeed. You just have to be passionate and determined and willing to learn,” she says.

“I think my journey hasn’t always been easy or smooth, but it helped me to grow into who I am today. And I want [future international] students to know that it’s okay to struggle; it’s okay to make mistakes; and it’s okay to take the longer route.”