Graduates 2025: Emily Hetherington, Fashion and Design History

“Brighton for me is a place that I found my confidence and figured out where I wanted to go professionally.”

What is the focus of your work?

In my work I have been able to focus on African fashion and histories behind them and how they have been reinvented for the present day.

What made you choose your course and why Brighton?

I choose this course, Fashion and Design History, as it gave me a chance to focus on fashion history in my work but also be able to talk and work with the art history students.

Brighton is a good place to study the course as it has its own Dress Teaching Collection.

Moreover, you are by the sea and feel more relaxed and all the lecturers are friendly.

What have you most enjoyed and who has inspired you?

My favourite part of my studies is the many trips I have been able to go. For example, Chertsey Museum and the Bishopgate Institute.

Suzanne Rowland, one of the lecturers, has inspired me due to her passion in a variety of different topics and trying different research approaches, like reproduction dressmaking.

What’s next for you?

My plans after graduation is to get more work experience and to go on to a masters in curation in or outside Brighton.

If you could give your 17-year-old self advice about going to university what would it be?

Some advice I would give 17 year old me about going to university would be to relax and have fun with your learning.