Alona is from France and Switzerland and is currently in her final year of BA Fashion Design: Print at Central Saint Martins.
Why did you choose to study BA Fashion Design: Print and why Central Saint Martins (CSM)?
I decided to study Fashion Print after doing my foundation at CSM. I wanted to pursue my studies at CSM because of the self-led approach of the school. I really liked that it gives you the freedom to explore your own ideas and focus on what you're passionate about. What stood out to me the most was that, even though it’s a fashion course, it has textile development at its core. That felt like the perfect fit for me, since I wanted to dive into painting and learn specific techniques like natural dyeing and printing, while still being part of a fashion degree.
What’s the most interesting project you’ve worked on so far? What made it so interesting to work on?
There have been many interesting projects throughout the years, such as the Teams project or the Cristóbal Balenciaga Museum project in second year, but I think the most interesting one has to be working on my final collection – and for so many reasons. First of all, after spending a year doing placement, it has been amazing to go back to working with full creative freedom. Secondly, I think that for me, the first years of the course were all about developing my research, techniques, and aesthetic. This year is the culmination of all of this. I now approach my work with more confidence, and that has been quite freeing. And although it is a very demanding year, I have enjoyed being able to further develop techniques of natural dyeing and embroidery. I really loved thinking about every detail of the collection and having the opportunity to not compromise too much – to develop many textiles, etc.
Have you completed any work placements/internships whilst being on the course? If so, can you tell me a little bit about your role? (Job title, company, main responsibilities)
During my placement year, I worked for two companies in different industries: fashion and architecture. My first internship was at Marine Serre, a French fashion house. It was a print design internship. I created prints for the 2024 Fall/Winter and 2025 Spring/Summer collections. For my second internship, I explored textiles outside of fashion at Laura Gonzalez, Pravda Arkitect – a luxury interior design agency in Paris. I worked on various projects including the design of a terrazzo floor, print design for rugs, tables, or wallpaper for hotels, galleries, or stores in New York, Paris, or even Miami. During this year, I gained so much insight into how print design can be applied across different contexts. Both internships taught me completely different approaches to being a print designer, and they’ve really shaped how I approach my work now.
What important piece of advice would you give to students thinking of studying this course?
For anyone that is applying, I would say don’t be afraid to experiment. It’s not about having a perfect final outcome – I think it’s all about the processes, research, techniques like dyeing, embroidery, and painting. But also, draw a lot and have fun with it. And for anyone who is coming to CSM, I would say make the best use of the facilities, and most importantly, speak to the technicians. They have been so central in my learning throughout the course – most of what I’ve learned is thanks to their guidance and expertise. There are amazing facilities at Central Saint Martins and we have the opportunity to create so many different things, so have fun making the best of them.
What has been the highlight of your CSM experience so far?
There have been so many highlights during my time at CSM, but some of my absolute favourite moments have been spent in the print room. I’ve really enjoyed dedicating hours to painting, experimenting, and learning through trial and error, especially with natural dyeing techniques. It’s been such a rewarding process, watching my work evolve as I gained more technical knowledge. What has made this experience even more special is being surrounded by so many inspiring and supportive people. The atmosphere of the studio, although sometimes hectic, has been so motivating, and the constant sharing of ideas, feedback, and encouragement has pushed me so much. It’s not just about the technical skills I’ve learned – it’s also about the community and the connections I’ve made. Every challenge I’ve faced has felt a little easier with the help and support of such a wonderful group of people, and that has really shaped my experience here.
What are your career aspirations? Where would you like to be in five years' time?
I think I’d like to keep painting and creating prints in the future, and I’m excited about the idea of working across both the fashion industry and interior design projects. I’ve realised that I don’t have a specific path in mind, and I’m open to exploring different opportunities as they come. My placement year was a big eye-opener, showing me how unexpected opportunities can arise and lead you in directions you might not have planned for. But I hope that no matter where I end up, I’ll still be creating many things with my hands, staying connected to the crafts that inspire me most. The variety of possibilities is what excites me, and I’m eager to see where my skills in print and design will take me in the future.
What is the most important thing you've learnt on the course so far?
The most important things I’ve learned on this course have been pushing my ideas further and learning to trust the process. But above all, I’ve learned to be patient and stay focused – even under the pressure of deadlines – since many of the techniques I work with are time-consuming and meticulous.
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