Former Patchway Community College student Ria Matthews, 19, has been given the opportunity to make a break into fashion journalism after being chosen as a Welsh shopping centre’s ‘student stylista blogger’.
University of South Wales BA Fashion Promotion student Ria will use expert knowledge gained through her course and natural fashion flair to advise readers on the latest trends via regular online blog posts, all of which will feature on the website of Talbot Green Shopping Park, Llantrisant.
Inspired by the likes of Chanel and Alexander McQueen, budding fashion writer Ria will share her tips for recreating runway looks using pieces from her favourite high street retailers, which include New Look, Miss Selfridge and Dorothy Perkins, amongst others.
Ria beat off stiff competition from her fellow course-mates to be selected for the opportunity by course leader Gemma Peterson. Her blog posts will be visible to the many thousands of visitors who log on to the Talbot Green Shopping Park website giving her a substantial platform for her fashion writing.
Ria said:
“Being selected as Talbot Green Shopping Park’s Student Stylista is a brilliant opportunity for me; my ambition is to go into fashion journalism so this experience will be really valuable. Online and social media activity is so important to the fashion industry these days and it’s great to be a part of that.”
“My blog posts will show people how to achieve that high-fashion edge on the high street, with helpful tips and hints thrown in. I hope www.talbotgreen.com’s visitors enjoy reading it!”
Ria’s University of South Wales BA Fashion Promotion course leader, Gemma Peterson, said:
“Ria is a talented writer with a keen eye for fashion. I am very happy to see her work published on Talbot Green Shopping Park’s website; it will be an excellent addition to her portfolio and provide some valuable industry experience.”
Emma Constantinou, Marketing Manager at Talbot Green Shopping Park, said:
“Ria has demonstrated her ability to sniff out the latest designer trends and their high street copycats. Her blog makes those catwalk looks easy to achieve, whatever your age, shape or size.”
“We’re proud to support our local students with this opportunity and look forward to Ria’s future posts!”
Read the first of Ria’s articles: AW13 trends – Punk meets Grunge
