Spencer Morton

The Course

Initially I moved Manchester to study a different course. However, it really wasn’t the right course for me. I knew I wanted to change courses, but I had already made my home in Manchester and didn’t want to leave. I had heard wonderful things about the International Fashion Promotion programme, and transferring onto it turned out to be one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. I chose the course because I wanted to stay in Manchester and prepare myself for an international career in fashion; International Fashion Promotion has allowed me to do that.

My favourite project was from first year, where we had to produce a look book and a magazine. The look book really challenged my graphic designer Photoshop skills, which have improved massively because of that project. The chance to make a magazine we would want to read, and to publish it ourselves, was great.  It was a lot of work, but it was also a lot of fun having free reign over the project and being able to have a sense of humour with our work.

So far, the projects in my second year have been great, and there has been some fantastic opportunities for producing creative writing and visuals, problem solving and personal expression. Our first term project was to create packaging in the style of a brand but for a new and very different product. It was quite a complex project to do right and had many creative elements to explore. I ended up making a Godiva chocolate style menstrual cup, which is such a weird mix of luxury and medical it was described as a “visceral experience”.  For our second term project, we had the opportunity to make a short commercial, which was an exciting challenge.  I didn’t know anything about filming or producing a commercial, but I didn’t let that stop me from trying to make something fabulous and ridiculous.

The Opportunities

Manchester Fashion Institute has really been knocking it out of the park with the events and student engagement.  Last year the Fashion Institute hosted an incredible fashion symposium – the Fashion Forum – focusing on the theme of ‘Age’, it was absolutely amazing and informative. There have been a few field trips two different manufacturing facilities and fashion related exhibitions, there was one at the beginning of this year to Chatsworth House for their ‘House Style’ exhibition, which was just stunning. David Leathlean also pulled together a small field trip to London to meet and work with Paul Smith for the day.

I’m also currently applying for placements.  I have done a few short-term internships whilst I have been here, I spent the summer working with Pretty Disturbia, they are really wonderful Manchester-based fashion house who allow the interns a lot of creative freedom to try all kinds of different skills. Through the University, I’ve been able to get work experience at London Fashion Week and with designers such as Paul Smith. One of the key things to getting an exciting internship or a unique workplace opportunity is to communicate with your lecturers and your teachers about what interests you; you never know what they might come back with.

Student Support

The support I have received from Manchester Metropolitan University and the staff at Manchester Fashion Institute has been great. There are some wonderful people working in the International Department, namely Nicola Ross. She has been instrumental in my progress as an international student and I couldn’t have done it without her. When I transferred courses, she did everything she could to be supportive and help me sort out a visa. Nicola and her team are absolutely wonderful.

Manchester Fashion Institute has also been supportive and engaging with us international students.  They have been working hard to keeping contact with us, make sure we are doing all right and help us to meet one another.

In terms of my course, in my opinion, no one on the faculty holds a candle to David Leathlean. He is by far the most engaged, enthusiastic, supportive and wonderful teacher I think I have ever had. He does what it takes to support his students and doesn’t just go the extra mile, he runs marathons, for his students. For me he is the crown jewel of the faculty.

Kelly Joseph is also an incredible person on the staff team. She is a Programme Support Tutor and she has been by far the most emotionally supportive person on the teaching staff. I genuinely believe she cares about every student. If you’re willing to talk to her she will listen, but when she knows something is wrong she will approach you. She goes out of her way to make sure people are okay and can get the help they need. She is an incredible and compassionate person that makes being an international student easier.

The City

Manchester is an incredibly unique city. Manchester is the kind of city where there are loads of things going on but not too much going on that you feel like you’re missing out on something else. You can have a meal in the Northern Quarter, see a ballet and have drinks in the Gay Village all in one day within a reasonable walking/bus distance. Everything is within an hour of each other, coming from California I find that extraordinary.

The people also make Manchester extraordinary. Never have I felt so much community in such a large city. Everyone is willing to give everybody else a chance and have a laugh.

Top Tips for potential international students

Do your homework and ask every question that comes to mind. Do whatever you have to do to get answers so that you know exactly what you’re getting yourself into. Everything from where you might live in the city, what kind of visas you need and the limitations, and exactly what to expect from your course and your future prospects. For a creative course like fashion, you need to make sure you know what is available to you, who is available to you, and what kind of projects you should expect – if it’s not right then keep looking! Also, when it comes to visas become an expert. The process can be quite complex, and little loopholes do pop up.