Demitris Zacharia (Class of 2020)

“I have always been fascinated with visual storytelling and Fashion became my medium of choice. It wasn’t a single moment but my passion for clothing, as a form of self-expression, grew throughout my teenage years.”

“My biggest highlight was the fashion show at the end of our first year. Seeing our garments on the runway and working closely with my peers gave me a glimpse into what it would be like to work in the fashion industry.

In Drama and Theatre Studies, my favourite experience was our devised theatre pieces. We wrote the scripts, created sequences, designed the sets and the costumes ourselves. Having full creative control and seeing our ideas come together in one piece of theatre was so much fun.”

“Designing and constructing my first full outfit in college. Seeing my idea progress from a sketch to fabric and onto a model confirmed that this was the career I wanted to pursue.”

“My teachers were passionate and had first-hand industry experience, which made learning even more exciting. They knew I wanted to continue in fashion, and they supported me in this, pushed me and helped me to grow as a creative. They gave invaluable advice about life after Esher and guided me through the different fashion career paths.”

“After Esher, I went to the University for the Creative Arts in Epsom and completed an Art and Design foundation year. I then completed my BA (Hons) in Fashion, graduating with a 2:1 in 2024. During my studies, I completed internships with Roksanda and Jenny Packham and worked backstage at London Fashion Week twice as a dresser.

I’m currently building my own, independent fashion practice that explores themes of femininity, surrealism, and fantasy. My most recent collection featured hand-painted fake nails as embellishments, symbolising witchcraft. Balancing creativity with the logistical and financial demands of self-producing a collection. Managing production, promotion, and artistic direction alone requires constant adaptation, but it’s also empowering, and I am learning every day.”

“I chose UCA Epsom for its strong fashion reputation and its balance between conceptual design and technical development. It exceeded expectations, providing creative freedom alongside practical skills and industry knowledge.”

“I worked as an intern with the Roksanda team for three months and helped to prepare for the Spring/Summer 2022 show. I returned the following year to assist during Fashion Week 2023.

I have also interned at Jenny Packham, I helped with the Resort 2023 collection, gaining insights into the intricate design process. I have also had the opportunity to work backstage as a dresser for Adam Frost and Noki fashion shows.

Interning gave me insight into the precision and pace of luxury fashion.”

“It was chaotic in the best way! It was fast-paced and required constant problem-solving. I loved being part of the team. It was an incredible insight into the energy and discipline required plus, I got to meet  vogue editor, Anna Wintour which was a surreal dream come true.”

“Resilience, time management, and a willingness to keep learning. Technical expertise is important, but so is effective communication and being able to take feedback.”

“Stay motivated, work hard, and never lose sight of your passion. Embrace every opportunity, stay curious and let your creativity evolve naturally, and most importantly, enjoy your time at Esher. It passes quicker than you expect, and you’ll look back on it fondly.”

“Kit Kat—because it’s the best of both worlds, soft and creamy from the chocolate and the satisfying crunch of a biscuit!”