Inside NFC Melbourne: A Week of Networking, Guest Speakers & Real-World Fashion Industry Insights

WORDS BY NFC STUDENT, MERARI ANTONIOU

During my trip to Melbourne for the PayPal Melbourne Fashion Festival, Bryce invited me to join the Melbourne class for the week and meet fellow students. Naturally, I accepted and was eager to connect with my Melbourne peers.

Upon arrival, I was warmly welcomed, and we spent some time getting to know each other before class began. I was fortunate enough to attend two networking events that day, one before class and another afterward. The first guest speaker was Natasha Rodrigues, the Lead Talent Acquisition Manager at Cue Clothing. She was an incredible resource, not only sharing her personal journey but also providing invaluable industry tips on navigating the field. One unique piece of advice that stood out to me was her suggestion to include a photo on our resumes, a tip I hadn’t encountered before but immediately noted and embraced.

When it was time for class, we focused on the power of email marketing and how to leverage it effectively. It was an eye-opening session, as I hadn’t realised just how impactful email marketing could be in advertising. We wrapped up by creating our own email advertisements for brands of our choice, putting what we had learned into practice.

Once class concluded, it was time for our second networking event. This session featured Anthony Capon, the head designer and creative director of Et Al. From the start, Anthony’s no-nonsense approach was evident, and it was exactly what we needed. Shared was an inspiring journey, highlighting the perseverance essential to achieving shared ambitions. Every question was addressed with honesty and candour, providing unfiltered insights into the industry, a true embodiment of creative spirit.

Overall, my time at the Melbourne campus was both enriching and enjoyable. I extended an open invitation to my Melbourne peers, encouraging them to visit our Sydney campus so we could return the warm hospitality they showed me. A heartfelt thank you to Bryce and the Melbourne class for an unforgettable experience, I’m already looking forward to the next opportunity to connect.