Published on 09 March 2022
Fashion students from the University of Sunderland have been learning the ropes from one of fashion’s – not to mention film’s – most respected videographers.
Digital Creative Director-at-Large of British Vogue Alec Maxwell – who has worked with icons such as Kate Moss, Rihanna and Oprah Winfrey – joined Fashion, Design and Promotion and Fashion Journalism students for an in-person workshop.
Alec, who is also founder of the acclaimed digital platform KLOSS FILMS, gave a lecture on how to set up a fashion video shoot, as well as advice on how the students can stand out from the crowd in the competitive world of fashion.
Alec said: “I always aim to relate to and connect with students during workshops as someone who has been through the same journey and is from the north.
“I want to share my experience of being in the same position as the students and how I persisted to get to where I am now.
"I am an open book and am happy to answer any questions from the students relating to my creativity and work. I hope that I am able to encourage and reassure the students that if they're dedicated and talented, they can achieve anything."
Originally from the Wirral, just outside of Liverpool, Alec studied and lectured in the north-east in the early 2000s before moving to London.
“I always enjoy returning to the north-east and it’s something I do often,” he said.
“I still feel very routed to creativity in this region.”
And the students couldn't wait to welcome Alec to Wearside.
“I'm so looking forward to the workshop with Alec,” Eve Howarth, 21, said.
“Having taken inspiration from so many Vogue shoots over the years, I will be quite star-struck!
“This workshop will hopefully kick-start my career in the industry once I’ve graduated in a few months.”
Katie Jeffries, 22, added: "It’s such an honour to be getting this visit from Alec.
“As a follower of Vogue myself, I can’t wait to hear about his experience in the industry.”
Naomi Austin, Senior Lecturer in Fashion, Design and Promotion at the University of Sunderland, said: “It has been a difficult few years in terms of being able to have visiting speakers on campus due to the pandemic.
“But as we slowly but surely emerge from that period, it’s a real coup for us to be able to host someone as highly revered as Alec as one of our first visiting speakers after lockdown.
“Alec has worked with the likes of Rihanna and Naomi Campbell, as well as luxury brands such as Louis Vuitton and Dior, and having graduated from a north-east university in 2004, I think it’ll be a great chance for him to reminisce about his Uni days with our students, as well as giving them tips and tricks on how to survive in the crazy world that is fashion.”
The University of Sunderland is supporting MadeAtUni: Creative Sparks, a national campaign to showcase the creative talent produced by UK universities and encourage the Government to promote and support the importance of creativity and creative courses.