Aoife Rutherford
When Aoife Rutherford finished secondary school, she wanted her love of fashion to become more than a hobby. After taking time to find the right course for the career she wanted, Aoife enrolled in Portobello Institute’s BA (Hons) Fashion Buying and Merchandising degree.
Upon graduating in 2025, she has gained hands-on experience as a fashion stylist through work placement, enjoyed international student trips to trade shows in Paris, Milan and London and is launching her career as a Social Media Manager & Stylist with StyleSavvy.
“I absolutely followed my passion by studying this course. I wanted to take that passion seriously and turn it into a career, and the course at Portobello Institute gave me the foundation to do just that.
“The course helped me turn my creative passion into real, usable skill and is setting me up really well for a successful career.
“It’s not just a fashion-focused course, it’s also a business degree, which makes it incredibly valuable. The skills I’ve gained are essential for the fashion industry but also transferable to many other career paths.
“Even before graduating, I secured a role as a fashion stylist and social media manager at StyleSavvy, a personal shopping and styling company. I truly feel like I’m doing what I love,” she said.
Choose the Course for the Career You Want
For Aoife, education wasn’t just about getting a qualification, it was about opening doors to the career she wanted. Her interest in styling combined with social media shows the diverse career paths available in the business side of the fashion industry.
“Studying felt like the right step because it would give me a structured foundation and open doors that might not be accessible without formal education.
“When I discovered the courses at Portobello Institute, it became clear that studying would allow me to gain industry-relevant insights and practical experience in areas like buying, merchandising, and trend forecasting,” she said.
When it came to choosing Portobello Institute’s business of fashion degree, a number of aspects stood out to her.
“I chose Portobello Institute over other providers because it offered a well-rounded, practical approach that really appealed to me.
“I read excellent reviews from past students who praised the tutors for their support and real-world knowledge. Knowing that I’d be learning from professionals with actual fashion industry experience was important to me; they could offer proper insight, guidance, and first-hand examples that bring the subject to life.
“What also set Portobello apart was the course content itself. It covered everything I was looking for, fashion buying, merchandising, trend forecasting, supply chain management, sustainability, and more.
“It felt very current and aligned with the way the industry is evolving. The mix of theory and practical projects made it clear that I wouldn’t just be sitting in a classroom.
“The trips to fashion capitals like London, Paris, and Milan also stood out to me. Attending trade shows and supplier events gave me a chance to see what the role of a buyer is really like,” she said.
Work Placement Kickstarting Her Fashion Career
Portobello Institute fashion students gain real-world experience through work placements and internships, accessing a wide network of industry connections throughout their studies.
Aoife worked as a fashion assistant which allowed her to put what she was learning into practice and give her the confidence and knowledge she needed to build and maintain connections in the fashion industry, leading to her first job before graduating.
“This role gave me hands-on experience supporting the lead stylist with tasks like selecting outfits, coordinating looks, and helping with fittings.
“It allowed me to apply what I was learning in class about trends, fashion buying, and merchandising in a real-world environment.
“Working as an assistant also helped me develop important skills such as teamwork, communication, and attention to detail. Being part of the styling process deepened my understanding of how fashion comes together, from concept to final look, and prepared me well for a future career in the industry,” she said.
Like many of our fashion graduates, Aoife’s work placement kickstarted her career before graduating later this year.
“I had the opportunity to work on several exciting projects, including fashion shows for Stillorgan Shopping Centre.
“One of the highlights was helping to organise and style these events, which involved selecting outfits and coordinating looks for the models.
“I also filmed and managed social media content for the day, showcasing the event online. The shopping centre team was impressed with my work, and as a result, they hired me as their social media manager to grow and improve their social media platforms.
“This role is now my current job, and it’s been a great experience to apply both my fashion and marketing skills,” she said.
A Flexible Learning Experience That Goes Beyond the Classroom
Aoife chose our in-person delivery method which meant she had three fixed days of classes per week in our Dublin City Centre campus giving her the flexibility balance work and study.
“My time at Portobello Institute has been really enjoyable. The tutors are lovely and always very helpful, making it easy to learn.
“Their industry experience made the course practical and interesting. I also made great friends with classmates who share my passion for fashion.
“The course was flexible with classes three days a week, which allowed me to work outside college on other days. This balance made studying very manageable. Overall, Portobello gave me valuable skills, knowledge, and a supportive network that I truly appreciate,” she said.
One of her favourite parts of the course? Travelling to the world’s fashion capitals.
“The best thing about studying at Portobello Institute was definitely the trips to fashion capitals like London, Paris, and Milan. Experiencing these cities with my friends made learning unforgettable and fun.
“Being able to attend real trade shows and supplier events gave me hands-on experience that you just can’t get in a classroom. It was exciting to see how the industry operates on a global level and to understand the role of a buyer or merchandiser in a real-world setting.
“These trips helped me connect what I learned in class with actual industry practice, and they inspired me even more to pursue a career in fashion.
“Sharing these experiences with classmates also built strong friendships and made the whole course feel more like a journey than just studying,” she said.
Gaining Confidence with a Supportive Environment at Portobello Institute
“I would recommend Portobello Institute to a friend. I really enjoyed my time there, which was a big change for me because I didn’t always enjoy school before.
“The classes were engaging and practical, and the tutors made learning enjoyable and easy to understand.
“I looked forward to going to class, which shows how different and positive the experience was compared to my previous schooling. The supportive environment and small class sizes helped me feel confident and motivated.
“This course at Portobello Institute was definitely the right choice for me. It matched my passion for fashion and gave me the knowledge and practical skills I needed to start my career.
“I also appreciated the balance between theory and hands-on learning, which helped me understand how the industry really works.
“Overall, this course helped me grow both personally and professionally, and I feel confident that it set me on the right path for a successful future in fashion.
Looking Forward to a Future in Fashion
Ahead of graduating later this year, Aoife has big ambitions for gaining more experience and put her skills into practice supporting other to feel good and gain confidence.
“My goal upon graduating is to build on my training and experience to become a professional personal shopper.
“I have already completed my qualification for personal shopping and am currently gaining more hands-on experience by shadowing clients.
“This practical experience is helping me understand different client needs and preferences, and how to offer personalised fashion advice.
“Moving forward, I want to continue developing my skills in styling and client communication so I can provide an excellent service.
“Ultimately, I hope to establish myself as a trusted personal shopper and stylist, helping people feel confident and enjoy fashion in a way that suits their lifestyle. This next step feels like a natural progression from the work and training I’ve done so far, and I’m excited about what the future holds.
“Having a strong business background alongside fashion knowledge means I’m prepared to handle both the creative and commercial sides of the industry.
“This versatility gives me confidence that I’ll be able to adapt and succeed in a range of roles, whether in buying, styling, marketing, or even running my own business one day. Overall, this qualification has given me a solid foundation to build a flexible and rewarding career.
“I would encourage anyone passionate about fashion to consider studying at Portobello because it truly prepares you for the realities of the industry,” she said.
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