Regent's MA International Fashion Marketing student Danabek Taimagambetov writes about his experience going backstage at shows during London Fashion Week 2024.
My journey to get to Regent's
I moved to London from Kazakhstan a month ago and just started my studies at Regent’s University London. I'm studying towards a master's degree in MA International Fashion Marketing.
I really wanted to study fashion here because, according to my own research, London is the city where fashion was born. Charles Frederic Worth, the founder of The Chambre Syndicale de la Haute Couture, was English. Many creative directors of international fashion houses – like Ricardo Tisci or Daniel Lee – graduated from London institutions. London is at the heart of the global fashion market, and Regent's is one of the best universities for emerging designers.
Kazakhstan is keen to develop creative industries. 20 years ago the government of Kazakhstan founded a scholarship, Bolashak, in order to invest in human capital and let Kazakhstani citizens study in the best higher education institutions all over the world. In 2023, after months of preparation and after passing all the stages of selection, I was awarded a scholarship and I am proud to be the first representative of Bolashak at Regent’s University London.
In Kazakhstan, I worked as an editor for magazines like ELLE and Esquire. As one of their fashion experts, I've worked with brands including BOSS, The Ritz-Carlton Astana, Porsche, LVMH and Biologique Recherche.
Using my expertise to get inside London Fashion Week
I dived into all things fashion from my first month of study at Regent’s and met lots insiders to the industry. Some of the people I met included Caroline Issa (Chief Executive and Fashion Director at TANK magazine), Suzy Menkes (former fashion critic for International Herald Tribune and former International Fashion Editor at Vogue) and Cathy Horyn (former fashion critic for The New York Times and New York Magazine).
My journey in fashion at Regent’s truly began with London Fashion Week. After being encouraged by Julia Robson, our Course Leader, I applied for tickets and it was an amazing experience to attend the shows.
Paul Costelloe was my first catwalk show and I really loved the collection where New York meets London. I also met Nadège Vanhee-Cybulski (Creative Director at Hermès) at the Paolo Carzana show (Sara Mower, of Vogue, called this designer the new Alexander McQueen).
I will always remember how model Jourdan Dunn closed the show of designer Saul Nash. It was also a highlight to see Imran Amed from The Business of Fashion at the show.
At the Mithridate show, I also had an opportunity to talk with actress Kelly Rutherford (Gossip Girl). I connected with Nicola Formichetti (Creative Director at Uniqlo, former Creative Director at Diesel and Mugler, former Creative Director at Dazed, and stylist to Lady Gaga) at the SYKY x British Fashion Council event when he confessed me that people often say to him that he looks Kazakh.
But Burberry AW2024 was the icing on the cake. I had the immense privilege to go backstage after the show – in Victoria Park, in East London – and talk with Daniel Lee, the Creative Director of this iconic British fashion house with heritage. I also got an opportunity to have conversations with model Georgia May Jagger, editor-at-large at Vogue Hamish Bowles, and actor Jonathan Bailey.
I would like to thank academic leader Julia Robson for encouraging me to attend London Fashion Week shows, and Regent’s University London for giving me this amazing experience.
Study MA International Fashion Marketing at Regent's
Developed in consultation with industry experts, this course will train you to become a leader in international fashion marketing.
You'll gain a grounding in marketing theory and practice (learning to be innovative, ethical and adaptable) and apply your knowledge to the global marketplace – growing your understanding of the industry’s processes, from trend forecasting to distribution.
Working from live briefs with real clients, you'll develop fashion marketing strategies, explore sources of disruption and innovation and learn how to monopolise opportunities that changes present, while building your leadership skills and your ability to think creatively and analytically.
