Alumni Interview: Samantha Mark

Samantha Mark, a former art and design student at Harrow College left the audience at New York Fashion Week enthralled by her creations. Her outfits were modelled at the International Designers Show during New York Fashion Week in September this year.

Inspired by her grandparents' classic English wardrobe, she says her designs are quintessentially English with a modern twist.

Samantha graduated from Harrow College six years ago. Ever since her graduation, she has been winning prizes and praise for her creative lines. She designed 12 outfits for New York Fashion Week and also got a chance to take part in a show called 'The Brits are Coming.'

She shares with us some of her experience at New York Fashion Show and her time at Harrow College.

Can you tell us about your experience at New York Fashion Week? How did you feel? I loved every minute of it. I felt welcomed by the people and excited by my environment. New York itself is an extremely overwhelming place and so to show during New York Fashion Week was an amazing experience in an amazing city, at an amazing time.

What are you doing right now? At the moment, I have just started a work placement at Alexander McQueen. I have also just recently received my first order for the Kingly Court boutique 'Mnini', which is just off Carnaby Street. I'll be making a range of my signature bags, as well as a few garments. I am also in the middle of setting up my website, www.samanthamark.com, which should be up and running soon.

What did you learn at Harrow College? I was at Harrow College from 2001 to 2003 and I left with an AVCE in Art and Design and an A Level in English Literature and Language.

Your most memorable time at the College My most enjoyable years in education were spent in the classrooms with friends, my tutors and course projects.

Do you want to meet anyone from the College again? From time to time, I still keep in touch with one of my old tutors, Chris Spellen. So I would say, in general, I would love to meet up with all my old tutors from my Art and Design and English classes.

What do you miss about Harrow College? I miss the familiar surroundings, the people and the general interest in the atmosphere. I miss my tutors and the classes we had and the friends I shared fun times with. I was always encouraged and always felt needed, which will always give someone a great sense of belonging.

Your future plans My future plans are to simply be happy and successful in whatever I choose to become. I plan to travel and gain experience; I plan to develop and adapt; I plan to grow my own talents into a business that people will want to be a part of but above all else, I just plan to take my time and allow myself to evolve wherever my environment takes me.

Anything else you want to share with us? I would just like to say thank you to all those tutors at Harrow College who inspired me, gave me support and advice when I needed it, because without them, I would not be where I am today.

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