Home Based Businesses

Interview: Anastacia Plastinina, 2010 Masters in Fashion Business graduate

Q: Could you please introduce yourself?

A: I’m Anastacia from Russia, before enrolling at IFA Paris I have studied mandarin and worked in Marketing. I didn’t have any fashion skills but I always had a real passion for the industry. And now, I’m a fresh graduate from IFA-Polimoda Masters Program!
Q: Globally, what do you think of the Masters in Fashion Business content?
A: Amazing! It has given me so much. I enjoyed every moment of the program. I love the way the courses were designed. The instructors were all so professional and dynamic. They gave us not only professional (technical) knowledge about how the system, i.e. fashion/luxury industry, works, but more conceptual one – about life and business in general.
Q: What was your favorite course? Why?
A: One of my favorite courses was Strategic Marketing with Adile Cretallaz. Adile is definitely the best person ever to run such a course. She never gave us ready-to-use answers; instead, she motivated us, acting as a great mentor, to find our own answers and solutions. She was always supportive and encouraging, encouraging our curiosity in every way.
I also loved Mark Greiz’s Marketing Communication class. Mark was always so professional. I felt he knew everything to do with marketing. He never limited us to technical Marketing theories and always encouraged our creativity. The knowledge he shared was straight-to-the-point and practical. His courses were always very dynamic and we had the chance to work on some challenging and fun ‘live’ projects.

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Q: You spent 6 months in Shanghai first, and then 3 months in Florence, what was your first feeling once you arrived in China? And in Florence?
A: I love China, and before coming to Shanghai, I was studying in Beijing. I speak Mandarin and, in general, feel myself very comfortable being here. I believe China is the best place for me to stay right now.

Italy is a beautiful country and Florence an amazing city. In terms of Italian fashion industry, Florence is quite important due to a high level of expertise and knowledge of local textile and leather manufacturers. Florence has always been a source of inspiration for designers, artists, poets. Overall, it was an unforgettable, truly amazing experience in all aspects.
Q: What were the main difficulties during your Chinese-Italian trip? How did you face these problems?
A: I didn’t experience any difficulties. For me, everything went well, and I enjoyed every minute.
Which city do you prefer? Why?
Definitely Shanghai! I like its convenient and fast life; I like the fact that you can find anything you want here. I am absolutely fascinated by this fusion of the East and the West. I like that it is constantly developing with a real focus on the future. Where my life is right now, Shanghai is just the right place for me I love Shanghai and all its opportunities!
Q: What would be the position and the company of your dream?
A: They would be a position of Creative Director in a fashion magazine (publishing). And it is not exactly my dream, but rather my goal, my destination, the final point where I hope to find myself in the end.
Q:Why did you choose IFA-POLIMODA program on the first place?
A: Probably, the main reason is because the program is in Shanghai – this huge, international, never-sleeping metropolis which I love with all my heart. Besides, to me, the content of the program seemed quite interesting and overall appealing – two schools (IFA Paris and POLIMODA), two countries (even three I guess), different approaches, etc. I assumed it would work, and it did!

Q:What would be your advices for the others students?
A: First of all, work hard, guys! And put all your passion and motivation in what you are doing. Second of all, ask questions because it is a right thing to have questions; and be sure that here at IFA Paris you will get all the answers you have ever been searching for! And I’m not talking only in a strictly professional way here, but rather more conceptually and globally.
At last, this is a great place to understand what you want and who you are. So, take your time, seek the solutions, be curious about the things, talk to the professors (they have always been amazing to all of us) and ask them for a piece of advice if needed, and I am sure you will be there.