Students gain exclusive access to Dior’s Global Mentoring Program

Students gain exclusive access to Dior’s Global Mentoring Program

Christian Dior Couture has once again selected RMIT as the only Australian university to participate in their global Women@Dior Mentoring Program for 2022. We spoke to a past and current participant about their experiences.

Participants are selected from the best business, art and fashion schools across 58 different countries. RMIT was offered 10 places for final year students across the College of Design and Social Context and College of Business and Law interested in careers in the luxury fashion sector.

We spoke to a past and current program mentee about what it means to be part of this prestigious program. 

Photo of Jessie Corne in Dior store 2021 mentee Jessie Corne in Sydney's flagship Dior store

Masters of Fashion (Entrepreneurship) graduate, Jessie Corne, was a mentee in the 2021 program. Currently the Brand Coordinator and Sales Lead for a TikTok content agency, The Content CliQ, she’s confident her degree and Women@Dior experience will take her overseas into fashion trend forecasting.  

Why did you apply for the Women@DIOR Mentoring Program? 

I love the magic and history of Haute Couture fashion houses such as Dior and the networking opportunities of the program really appealed to me. I thought it would be perfectly aligned with my ambition to be a successful woman in fashion and business, and it was! 

What was your favourite part about the program? 

I absolutely loved the day the Dior team flew us to Sydney and took us around the interim flagship store, it's an experience I'll never forget. The generosity of my mentor was amazing and I am so grateful to have met her.    

What was it like to have a mentor? 

My mentor’s career background ticked all my boxes - art curation, interior design and fashion. She had a lot of wisdom and was so supportive of all my decisions as a woman beginning her career. We talked about things from moving overseas for work, to what it's like being a career-oriented woman with a family. 

What is the biggest lesson you will you carry through the rest of your career? 

Being kind and making connections will get you further than you can imagine. I was extremely lucky to have an amazing cohort of lovely women and the Dior team were so warm and supportive. Everyone had such a positive attitude and we were all so excited by each other's success.  

Bachelor of Business student Ellie Barclay is participating in the 2022 program, which she hopes will help launch her career and recognise her potential as a leader.

Why did you apply for the Women@DIOR Mentoring Program?

All my life I’ve held a passion to chase after enrichening and unique experiences. My curiosity remains a key reason for why I applied to be a part of this program. I also wish to broaden my horizons culturally and gain insight into how Dior encourages positive change. 

Who is your mentor and what are you hoping to gain from your mentor?

My mentor is the Senior Client Marketing Manager at Christian Dior Australia. I’m grateful to be connected to her and learn what it means to be in a management position within retail marketing. I’m hopeful I can go to her for guidance about my career and any challenges I might be having in my current work. 

What are you enjoying about the program so far? 

The monthly catch ups with my mentor and the virtual workshop on entering the program, presented by Dior’s Senior Human Resources Manager. My mentor has helped guide me on graduate applications and how I can best present myself. I’ve also enjoyed learning about her career journey and how she came to be where she is now.

 

Women@Dior is a unique international mentoring and education program coaching young women all over the world to plan their future in fashion. Through the educational program, they are trained by leaders and stakeholders on several themes such as gender equality and women’s leadership for a sustainable future.

 

Story by: Katie Comas

30 June 2022

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30 June 2022

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