ART students at Heathfield School in Ascot were ‘inspired to express their own individuality’ after a fashion expert came in  and led a series of talks and presentations. 

Former creative director for Karl Lagerfeld and Gucci, Stephen Lisseman spoke to pupils in a series of lectures during the months leading up to the schools fashion show in 2019. 

Schoolgirls gained an insight into the creative industry, insider fashion knowledge and the importance of work experience.

The event organised by the Head of Art and Design Faculty Mrs Eve Feilen, said: “The collaboration is an exciting opportunity for students to gain expert insight into the fashion industry and let their unique creative talents flourish.” 

“Their designs will be showcased on the catwalk in the schools annual Fashion Show – always a highlight – which this year will benefit from Stephen’s professional direction.” 

The fashion expert gave talks motivating and encouraging students at Heathfield School to ‘express their own individuality and use their own voice’.

Marina Gardiner Legge, Headmistress at the school said: “The head girl came up to me and said ‘I know what I’m going to do now’, so the lectures are really inspiring which is so important for students. Fashion can bring out different talents and we encourage the girls to find their own thing

“It also allows for students to go into other aspects of the creative industry such as film, theatre and backstage. Not only that, we’ve had students go off to do architecture, engineering and classics.”

Mrs Feilen added: “Here at Heathfield we are passionate about supporting every girl in meeting her personal ambitions and goals, whether academic, sporty or in the arts and equipping her for her future workplace.”

The former creative director who also worked alongside Tom Ford and Christopher Bailey said: “It was an absolute pleasure to see such potential and interest amongst such varied personalities – it ignited my enthusiasm.

“I am very happy that I was able to resonate with the girls in a genuine and really quite unedited way. Integrity is everything.”