It was a sustainability-driven approach that came in useful when the third-year student relocated to Stockholm for three weeks to work with H&M denim and fashion brand, Weekday.
With Weekday Responsible Denim Designer Per Axen as a mentor, Wolchyn worked on well-received designs for Weekday’s Remade line, which gives new life to older denim.
Wolchyn said it was exciting to work on designs that had the potential to go into production.
“I worked with a pair of wide legs jeans, reimagining them into a pair of shorts with sporty side slits. I am super proud of my design and to see it celebrated by the designers I was working with was incredible,” she said.
Interning at Weekday helped Wolchyn put her degree into practice and understand what working at an international fashion brand is like.
“Working with Weekday helped me gain valuable industry experience and was an awesome way to compliment the final year of my degree,” she said.
“My success there will help me graduate with a well-rounded set of skills and knowledge, and I’m super excited for my future in the industry.”
Upon graduation, Wolchyn hopes to start her own small business, but now has the confidence to work overseas or for a larger fashion brand.
“Definitely starting my own small business is a dream for me. Though working in a bigger company doesn't seem so scary after interning at Weekday. It solidified and validated my skills, and now I feel more prepared than ever to work in the industry,” she said.
European internships for RMIT students are supported by RMIT Europe, the University's European hub in Barcelona.
RMIT Europe's Executive Director Marta Fernandez said the team connects with industry partners in Europe looking to extend their workforce through the diversity and depth of international talent.
"Students can take on a global experience with European industry in various formats," she said.
"It could include a work placement, final year undergraduate project, graduate traineeship or a postgraduate research and postdoctoral fellowship."
Every year RMIT sources global industry challenges for Australia and Vietnam based students to solve and respond to online, allowing them to gain international experience without leaving home.
Story: Alicia Olive
