AISYAH MAZLAN

Aisyah Mazlan graduated from BA (Hons) Fashion & Design and showed her exceptional talent by wearing one of her own creations at her graduation ceremony. We caught up with her below to hear her plans and how USW has helped prepare her for the fashion industry.

Tell us about your time at USW and how you found the course.

I studied for 3 years in Bachelor of Arts in Fashion & Design. I chose this course because I want to wake up every single day doing what I like, and this course has it all. I appreciate the craftsmanship and learning this course has fulfilled my expectations, from research to final collection.

When I started my first year, we collaborated with the industries such as Timberland, we did a lot of collaborating with other courses as well. The challenges and time management that they put us into have opened my eyes to how the industry works.

The support system from USW really helped me push my scope of creativity. I studied through the pandemic, and studied from Malaysia, during my second year. I had to deal with an 8 hours' time difference. USW has helped me went through the hardship of studying something creative, online. We get to use whatever we have at home to be creative, the lecturers guided me through the camera, which is amazing.

What are some of the best memories of studying at USW?

USW has my heart. I made amazing friends here, friends that I can call family. Second, the lecturers are so welcoming and helpful to a point that I don't mind staying late at uni to get my work done. Third, it’s very convenient to travel around to concerts, movies, bowling and many more!

What motivates you to get up in the morning and pursue your career?

I learned that my dreams are not just dreams - it's my future and in order to build my future as I wanted it, I have to start NOW. Whatever I do today, affects tomorrow, next week, next year, we never know.

What has been your proudest moment so far?

I made my own graduation dress, I recorded it, edited it and posted it, it went viral, 2.5 million people were watching that 1-minute video and that was when people started to recognise my talent, my hard work and my art. More opportunities started to come along the way. I’m proud that I spent two weeks designing and making that piece alone in USW’s studio during summer break.

What advice would you give to anyone thinking of studying your course or going to USW?

You have to be mentally and physically ready for it. It’s not an easy course, you have to really want to do it, to actually make it. Always come to the studio, make friends with everyone in your class including lecturers, ASKS when you don't understand and get your work done as soon as you can because it is a never-ending workload. Most of all, remember if you want to have a fun experience in uni, you yourself have to build that fun environment.

Lastly, where would you like to see yourself in the fashion industry in 5 years time?

I want to be well-known as a multidisciplinary creative designer with an art and design background, building a contemporary fashion label in the modesty world. I want people to know that my strength is being meticulous especially when it comes to construction, creating an emotional connection towards my design pieces. I want to be known as a designer that goes global and masters all the creative parts of this industry.