Heshini Goonasekera - MODART International

ALUMNI INTERVIEW: HESHINI GOONASEKERA

Intern - The Malhia Kent House / Reading MBA at Mod'Art Paris

“I had a life-changing experience interning in Paris!”

Young fashion designer Heshini Goonasekera was one of the top revelations at the previous International Graduate Fashion Spectacle (IGFS) in Colombo, on 10th of July, 2018. Her collection impressed the audience, which also earned her an award for the outstanding collection! Heshini graduated with a Bachelor in Fashion Design from Mod’Art International Paris, completing her 3 year degree program at the Sri Lanka branch campus in 2018.

Currently she’s reading her MBA in Luxury Goods & Fashion Industries, at Mod’Art International in Paris while interning at The Malhia Kent House. Some excerpts from the interview with Heshini follow:

Tell us how you excelled as a Mod’Art student in Sri Lanka?

Being a fresher I was really nervous when I joined Mod’Art to pursue my undergraduate studies, I didn’t have a clue about sketching or stitching but I had my dream career set on fashion design. Once I joined Mod’Art I learnt everything step-by-step; all the teachers & the staff members were all very supportive and I got a lot of opportunities to explore while I was studying at the campus. I had an awesome opportunity to go on educational tours to Paris & Milan; participate in workshops and exhibitions. One of the main highlights of my experiences was participating in the International Graduate Fashion Spectacle (IGFS), and winning an award for my outstanding collection!

How was your experience on your entry to Mod’Art Paris for the MBA in Luxury Goods & Fashion Industries?

After my final year I knew that I wanted to continue my higher studies, so after having a discussion with Ms. Niroshani Leanage (managing director) I decided to apply to Mod’Art International Paris, since I was already a Mod’Art student, the admission and the visa process was very smooth & I was feeling very excited and over the moon to go and study in Paris.

Few words about the Masters program your pursuing currently?

MBA in Luxury Goods & Fashion Industries is the program I’m currently reading at Mod’Art Paris, this course is delivered in partnership with the University of Perpignan. This program specializes in marketing, styling & management. My future plan is to start my own brand; hence this was an ideal programme as it helps me to see the industry in different aspects.

During your studies in Paris, you also did few internships. Can you tell us more about these experiences?

After I completed my MBA 1^st Year, I was so eager to start interning. I got my first internship at The Malhia Kent House, a textile manufacturing company in France which works together with Channel, Balmain etc. Since this was my first work experience, it was very interesting to work for international designers, I’m more than thrilled to gain this invaluable experience through Mod’Art and this helped me immensely for my studies well.

Would you recommend a creative fresher finishing school to choose Fashion Design as their career pathway?

Of course, yes I recommend it. You don’t have the need know how to sketch or stitch before starting your Bachelors, as long as you have the passion and the creativeness in you. There are unlimited opportunities for students to excel in this field, with Mod’Art you can have turn your ambition into a reality with first-hand experiences of the fashion industry through workshops, special projects, international fashion shows & more!