Flavia Govoreanu

Why did you choose the University of Westminster?

Fashion had always been the industry I wanted to work in, so when I started looking at universities, I was focused on finding a course that combined creativity with the commercial side of the business. The Fashion Business Management degree at Westminster stood out because it offered a broad understanding of the industry, covering everything from buying and merchandising to marketing, supply chain and sustainability.

What also attracted me to Westminster was the student experience. Although it is based in the heart of London, it still felt like a close-knit university community. The wide range of societies, events and opportunities to get involved meant I could enjoy the atmosphere of a campus university while benefiting from everything that London has to offer. Combined with Westminster’s strong industry connections and reputation within fashion, it felt like the perfect choice for me.

How has your experience been studying in London?

Studying in London was probably one of the best decisions I have made. As an international student, it gave me the opportunity to meet people from all over the world, experience different cultures and build friendships that I still value today. Both London and the University of Westminster are incredibly diverse, which made it easy to feel welcome and find a community.

For someone interested in fashion, London is an incredibly inspiring place to study. As one of the world’s fashion capitals, it offers constant exposure to new ideas, brands and events. Professionally, studying in London was also a huge advantage. The city provides access to countless internships, placements and networking opportunities, which played a significant role in helping me gain industry experience and launch my career.

Tell us about your course and what have you particularly enjoyed?

What I particularly enjoyed about the Fashion Business Management programme was how practical and well-rounded it was. The course gave me exposure to many different areas of the fashion industry, allowing me to understand how the various departments work together. I also appreciated the flexibility of choosing elective modules, which allowed me to tailor the degree to my interests and career goals.

The lecturers were incredibly approachable and supportive, and one of the highlights of the programme was the number of guest speakers from the industry. Hearing directly from professionals working in fashion provided valuable insights and helped connect what we were learning in the classroom to the real world.

How have you found academic support as part of your studies?

The academic support at Westminster was excellent. The lecturers were always approachable and willing to help, whether it was with coursework, career advice or discussing opportunities within the industry. Each student is also assigned a personal tutor, which provided an additional layer of support throughout the degree.

I found the guidance around assignments and my dissertation particularly valuable, and I always felt encouraged to ask questions and seek advice whenever I needed it.

Are there any stand-out facilities associated with your course?

The Harrow Campus offers fantastic facilities for fashion students. I particularly enjoyed having access to the Fashion Space, which provides industry-standard equipment and creative workspaces. The library was also an invaluable resource throughout my degree, especially during my dissertation and group projects, offering both excellent study facilities and access to a wide range of academic resources such as the Vogue magazine archive.

Did you use the University Careers and Employability Service? If yes tell us about your experience

Yes, I used the Careers and Employability Service throughout my studies, particularly for CV reviews, interview preparation and career guidance. I also became aware of internship and placement opportunities through my lecturers and the university’s Engage platform. The support available helped me build confidence throughout the application process and played an important role in securing valuable industry experience.

Can you tell us about your current role and share a bit about your responsibilities?

I currently work in Buying within the fashion industry, having progressed through several roles since graduating, including positions in merchandising and buying at Ralph Lauren. Most recently, I accepted a role with Jimmy Choo, where I will continue developing my career within luxury fashion.

Throughout my buying career, I have been responsible for analysing sales performance, building seasonal assortments, and forecasting trends. A key part of my role involves balancing creativity with commercial decision-making to ensure the right products are available for customers.

One of the aspects I enjoy most is that no two days are the same. The role combines analytical thinking, trend awareness and relationship management. It has also given me opportunities to travel and work with teams across different markets.

How has your course prepared you for your current role and a career in your industry? Please share any unique insights or advantages that your experience as a student at Westminster brings to your current role?

The Fashion Business Management course gave me a strong foundation for my career because the modules were very practical and closely aligned with the realities of the fashion industry. From my first day working in buying and merchandising, I recognised many of the concepts, processes and terminology that I had already been exposed to during my degree, which made the transition into industry much smoother.

The biggest advantage was undoubtedly the placement year. During my placement at Ralph Lauren, I gained hands-on experience in the merchandising department, developed valuable professional skills and built relationships that helped launch my career. The experience not only allowed me to continue growing within the company after graduation, but it also helped me discover the career path I wanted to pursue within the fashion industry.

Tell us about any activities that you have undertaken outside of your course

Alongside my studies, I was actively involved in several initiatives that played a significant role in my personal and professional development. I founded and served as President of the Fashion Society, where I organised events that connected students with industry professionals and created opportunities for networking and career development.

Through the support of the university, I was also selected for the Women@Dior and UNESCO mentoring programme, which provided valuable guidance from industry leaders and allowed me to develop both personally and professionally.

One of the most memorable experiences of my time at Westminster was participating in the Westminster Working Cultures programme in Mumbai. After receiving a scholarship, I travelled with the university to learn about Indian business culture, meet Westminster alumni who had built successful careers there, and gain a global perspective on professional opportunities. It remains one of the most rewarding experiences of my university journey and complemented my academic studies in a unique way.

What would your advice be to someone considering studying at Westminster?

My advice would be to make the most of every opportunity available to you. Westminster offers far more than just a degree, it provides access to industry connections, placement opportunities, international experiences, societies and a diverse student community. The students who gain the most from their time at university are often those who get involved beyond the classroom.

What's the best aspect of being a University of Westminster student?

For me, the best aspect of being a University of Westminster student was the unique combination of studying in London while still feeling part of a close-knit and supportive community. That balance is quite rare, especially in a city as large as London. I met some of my closest friends through my course, and even today many of them remain an important part of my life.

What also stood out was how much the university genuinely cared about its students. Whether through free societies, scholarship opportunities, subsidised meals, or the support available throughout the student journey, there was always a sense that student wellbeing and success were a priority. Having access to all the opportunities that London offers while feeling supported and connected made my university experience incredibly rewarding.

What’s the most surprising or unexpected aspect of your Westminster experience?

The most surprising aspect of my Westminster experience was how much professional experience I was able to gain before graduating. Fashion is known for being a highly competitive industry, and I initially expected it to take much longer to build my career. However, with the support of the university and my lecturers, I was able to gain valuable industry experience throughout my degree.

During my studies, I completed internships in luxury fashion wholesale and worked freelance for a beauty trend forecasting company, opportunities that I discovered through university connections and the careers platform. The lecturers were incredibly supportive and helped me balance academic commitments with professional opportunities. Looking back, I think the most unexpected part was graduating with not only a degree, but also meaningful industry experience and a clear career path. In many ways, I felt that my career had already begun before I graduated, and Westminster played a huge role in making that possible.