Where are you from, and where did you grow up?
I am from Cape Town, South Africa. I grew up in South Africa my entire life until now.

Do you feel at home in Paris?
I do, strangely enough. It is a beautiful city; everything is very intriguing and is very different from the culture I grew up in, but there has never been a day I’ve felt out of place.

How does Paris inspire your work?
Paris feels like endless opportunities and an entire new world that I am part of. There are opportunities I would not have been able to access in South Africa alone, and being in Paris motivates me to work even harder because whatever dreams I’ve aimed to achieve are more accessible than they might have been before living in Paris.

What classes in your program have you enjoyed? 
I am really enjoying the Fashion, Branding, and Communication class this semester, where we’re creating a performance art concept for Isabel Marant Menswear, but I am actually enjoying all the classes I’ve enrolled in throughout my master’s degree studies. I’ve been learning many things that I had never known about before and enjoying the writing and research practices.

Are you enjoying working on your thesis?
I am thoroughly enjoying my thesis writing and research. It’s offered me insights, and has really opened up my view of the fashion industry and improved my critical thinking about projects and papers I approach. It has broadened my perspective and helped me view topics and concepts in a way I never expected before.

What attracted you to the Fashion Studies program at Parsons?
I have been attracted to the city since I was young, but when I was researching potential master’s programs, this was recommended by a friend. When looking into the program, I found that there was nothing like it offered anywhere in South Africa. I wanted to learn something new outside of my fashion design degree to expand my knowledge.

Do you have any hobbies?
Yes! I love to sketch and read in my spare time. I’ve done music since fifth grade; I love to learn new music and sing in my spare time. I am also a karate instructor and have been practicing since I was four years old. I am a professional model as well, which I enjoy tremendously. I love to keep myself busy and keep learning something new, challenging myself to achieve a new goal in any area.

What advice would you give incoming students?
Come in with an open mind; be prepared to question everything and not be closed off because of what you already know. And make the most of every moment in Paris, the courses, and the opportunity!