An Interview With Cherona Blacksell, Fashion Designer(1/3) By Bekki Stephenson Accessories are the best invention ever - except for bras!

(1/3), (2/3), (3/3).

It is often a false preconception that coming from Hull makes things slightly more difficult, opportunity wise, to get into the fashion industry. This has always angered me. Granted, Hull is not the trendiest of fashion hotspots about, but as I hope ThisisUll's fashion pages are proving, there is certainly a lot more out there than meets the eye. So in an eager hope to promote the idea of entering the fashion industry to Hull's most ambitious young minds I called upon my fellow budding fashionista friend, Cherona Blacksell.

At twenty years old, Cherona is currently in her second year studying for a BA (hons) degree in fashion design, at the University of Central England in Birmingham. I caught up with her for a drink (or three) in our local to try and gain a bit of an insight into the life of an up and coming fashion designer. 'I always knew I wasn't suited to a standard 9 till 5 job, my attention span is way to short,' she replies when quizzed on her desire for designer stardom. 'Like most girls I have a love for clothes, which I knew went deeper than just shopping in Topshop on a Saturday. I loved the idea of designing my own clothes and making things how I wanted them and then decided that maybe I could'.

As Cherona goes on to reminisce over how she would mix and match clothes from her dressing up box when she was younger, it is pretty clear to see her great passion for clothes. After completing her GCSEs at Wolfreton School, Kirkella, Cherona had the arduous task of having to convince her parents that she was truly serious about pursuing a career in fashion design.

'My parents wanted me to stay at school and take my A Levels but when they realised I was serious about fashion and it wasn't just a passing faze of my life - like the recorder or the Spice Girls, they were behind me 100%'. So with a fraction of the hard work under her belt, she chose to go to Hull College for 2 years to do a BTEC in fashion and clothing. She is quick to mention that GCSE subjects don't have much bearing when it comes to the course. 'Don't worry if you have no experience in sewing,' she explains, 'because until I started college neither did I.

I do think you need artistic skills, but most people think that you needed to have studied textiles and art at GCSE. I took neither subject.' Although there are numerous ways to go about getting a qualification in fashion, for example, a foundation course, Cherona does regard the BTEC diploma highly. 'We did quite a lot of construction on the course, and although my skills were fairly basic, some people had very little if not any experience in this area. I think the BTEC gave me a really strong foundation before moving onto university.'

Throughout her time at Hull College, Cherona was able to develop her skills to a good enough level to secure a place at University in Birmingham. So why Birmingham? 'I chose to study in Birmingham because going to University is such a big part of your life that it gives you a perfect opportunity to branch away from home and gain independence. A little daunting, as I could barely make toast before I left home!' I laugh as I remind her of the numerous times she has even managed to mess up pasta and stir-in sauce. But true to her determined and outgoing personality, she has managed to fend for herself at University for almost two years, while still enjoying all the student antics that go along with it. Unlike most students, Cherona still remains positive about her Uni Work.

Continued ... Next Page (2/3)

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