SARAH STAVROW: THE FASHION INSTITUTE

With a brand new space double the size of their Crown Street location, The Fashion Institute are starting 2013 BIG! The 23rd of January marks the move-in date for Sarah and her team, with Term 1 of classes starting shortly after. Find out more about Sarah’s personal favourites, her background in the fashion industry and sneak peek photographs into the new college!

 

What experience did you have before starting The Fashion Institute?
Before starting The Fashion Institute (TFI) I was a fashion publicist for 6 years, I got my first job working in PR through work experience when I was 18. Most of my knowledge has come from on-the-job experiences during my time at some of Australia’s leading PR agencies; having been the publicist for high profile clients including: Bonds, Seafolly, General Pants, Country Road, Berlei, Ella Bache and Sunsilk.

TFI has stemmed from my desire to share knowledge and experience I’ve gained through working in the industry for several years with my students – the college is exactly what I wished for when she was starting out herself. We offer future fashioninstas a platform to pursue their career dreams in the fashion industry by combining first class education; by the industries leading professionals and a comprehensive Internship Program – insuring that TFI graduates are cut above the rest!

Favourite and least favourite parts of your job?
Running a business and especially a fashion college has its daily challenges and triumphs. A definite favourite part of the job is when students get jobs. It really makes me realise what we’re actually here for and to see someone get their dream jobs is amazing! Also, when you get a call from a students parent to let you know they’re really happy with their child’s progress and the college – that’s always a highlight!

My least favourite part….umm tricky one! To be honest there aren’t many parts of my job I don’t like, I’ve got incredible staff, teachers and students, which makes my job a breeze – I’m very blessed!

Current obsessions:
The Bio. channel – it’s so nerdy but I love all the true crime, medical examiner and intervention shows.
On a fashion note I’ve got an unhealthy obsession with YSL tributes – I own 4 pairs!! My boyfriend plays for the Sydney Kings so I’ve fallen in love with ANYTHING purple. I’ve also got my eye on a new Prada Tote in Clay Grey and my puppy ‘Yvie’, she’s an American Cocker Spaniel and the cutest/naughtiest little thing ever!

 

What’s on your bedside table?
A picture of my little niece Elise, box of tissues and a copy of “Fifty Shades of Grey” – I’ve been attempting to read it for the past 2 months but I’ve only made it to chapter 5 (short attention span)

How would you spend your last $100?
A really nice meal with my gorgeous boyfriend!

Typical work tasks in a day in the life of Sarah…
I’m not a morning person so I usually come into work around 10:30am, first thing I do is check emails, read The Daily Telegraph & SMH online and then the girls give me a run down of my schedule for the day. Generally everyday I have at least one new student interview to do, where I sit down with the prospective student, run through the course and how the college runs and give them a tour of our campus – I still conduct all new student interviews, because the college is my ‘baby’ and I’m so passionate about it I like to have the final say on who we enrol.

The rest of the day is a mix of paying bills, liaising with our Internship Co-ordonator and working with Media Director on upcoming marketing and PR activities. If we have a night classes I like to stay around to say hi to the students and teacher – most of the teachers are good friends of mine so I like to have a catch up before they teach.

What’s next?
2013 is already gearing up to be our best year yet! In only 2 years the college has formed a reputation as the leading fashion business college in Sydney and spots for next year are filling fast! We’re moving into our new space in Surry Hills later this month, the building is called St David’s Hall, it’s a Victorian Gothic-style church hall conversion and we’ll be starting our first term  there for 2013. I would also love to open another college either in Queensland or Victoria in the next few years and then who knows, TFI might go International!

 

 

The Fashion Institute’s new location
17 Arthur Street, Surry Hills, NSW

For all those interested in classes:
TERM 1 starts 26 January 2013